On January 15, 2012 St. Genevieve opened to her parishoners. It was a beautiful thing to witness.
This is what she looked like before Katrina
During the groundbreaking in October of 2010, parishioners were asked to place a small amount of dirt from their home into the groundbreaking hole in celebration of their unity.
The doors to the church were donated by Dr. John Breaux and were produced in Honduras. They depict the history of the parish from the time it was a mission until the present new church.
In 1950s another Bayou Liberty Church - St. Linus - was merged with St. Genevieve
In 1958, a new church building was built and dedicated Dec. 28 by Reverend Joseph Rummel.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church. Immediately following the storm, Mass was celebrated under an oak tree for several weeks and then in the parish hall.
In 2011, the new church was completed!
From watching this steeple lying on the ground during deconstruction of the old church,
It was such a good feeling to see the old steeple rising toward the heavens again
The original stained glass windows are used in the new church (photo by Slidell Sentry News)
The altar looks out over Bayou Liberty
The old Chapel is shown here after the church was razed
And now the Chapel is once again united with the church
After Katrina, St. Genevieve's pastor is quoted as saying: "The church is not the building, but the people, we are the church."
~ Reverend Roel Lungay
I salute the strength and faith parishioners of St. Genevieve and congratulate them on this long-time coming occasion.
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