Mission Church is a classic that should be saved

Sheriff: “We want to take it if the parish doesn’t do it”

Several concerned residents met last Thursday to discuss ways to “save St. Anthony Mission Church” in Luling and find ways to direct its marketability as a St. Charles Parish icon. The property which is zoned C-2 can be used for just about anything.

It had been used by the St. Charles Parish school system as a carpenter shop and for   storage during the past several y ears. Now the building is empty and in need of repair and cleanup. It seems to be toxic-free according to Jeff Roux who attended the gathering.  Also, the building is on a 150 x 150 lot and is next to a vacant lot that had housed the brick school building that was demolished. This lot could be valuable for parking.

The school system is looking for someone to come up with a plan to take over the building if it is not torn down. It was indicated by several parishioners in attendance that they thought it could be donated by the school system and maybe the parish could take it over as a possible gathering spot for community functions. Sheriff Greg Champagne who also attended the meeting said that he would have the clean-up crew to access and, since the school board wants to take it off its books, “we want to take it if the parish doesn’t.”

Those in attendance included Gerald Zeringue, Councilman Shelly Tastet, Cathy Herren, Sue Friloux, Don Ellis, Rita Carlson, Regina McMillan, Laurie Abadie and Colette Lottinger in addition to Sheriff Champagne and Jeff Roux.

Other interested parishioners are invited to join in the preservation group and lend whatever suggestions they may have. Those who wish to make any suggestions before the next meeting or to be invited to come should send in their recommendations to: Mission Church, P.O. Box 1199, Boutte, La. 70039. You may also send your on-line comments to Jonathanm@heraldguide.com. Just put mission church in the heading.