Alexandria in Rapides Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Complex

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

1. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Complex Marker

Inscription. When Poste du Rapides was established in Pineville the Catholic mission of St. Louis des Apalachees was founded. Mass was said in private homes in the new town of Alexandria. A chapel built in 1817 was the first church of any denomination in this city. St. Francis Xavier Church was built in 1834 on Front Street. Rev. Leonard Menard envisioned a larger place of worship. The cornerstone of the present edifice was laid on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, December 3, 1895. A few weeks later the original church burned. The first Mass was celebrated in this Gothic Revival structure November 27, 1899. Sand for mortar was dug from the Red River bed and floors of native pine were laid. In 1907 the belfry was added: the clock installed the following year. The Rectory, first built in 1896, was extensively renovated in 1930. St. Francis Xavier Academy, erected in 1897, was remodeled and enlarged in 1907. Bishop Cornelius Van de Ven petitioned Rome to transfer the See city from Natchitoches to centrally located Alexandria. Thus, on August 6, 1910, St. Francis Xavier Church became the Cathedral. These 3 buildings are now listed on the

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National Register of Historic Places as the Cathedral complex.

Erected 1988 by Central Cities Development Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1864.

Location. 31° 18.765′ N, 92° 26.873′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Louisiana, in Rapides Parish. It is on 4th Street west of Elliott Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 626 Fourth Street, Alexandria LA 71301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana

and in Acadiana — Cajun Country.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

2. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Complex Marker

with Rectory building.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Trials of Nazis at Nuremberg, Germany, 1945-49 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Louisiana Connection (about 400 feet away); Reflection of a Youth / We Must Not Forget (about 400 feet away); Emmanuel Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary (about 800 feet away); The Hotel Bentley (about 800 feet away); Alexandria's Oldest Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louisiana Maneuvers (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . . Wikipedia - St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. (Submitted on November 23, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)

St. Francis Xavier Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

3. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

St. Francis Xavier Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

4. St. Francis Xavier Academy

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

5. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Complex image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

6. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Complex

Seen from the back of the complex from the Board of Education parking lot.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 17, 2010

7. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

1853 – 2003
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Alexandria (formerly Natchitoches), the Church of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria, La. founded in 1834, is given the title of Protoparish, with rank and title granted in perpetuity.

Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs
Bishop of Alexandria

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,596 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 23, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.