History of Epiphany

In 1855, six years prior to the Civil War, our parish was organized. The inaugural sermon was preached at the courthouse of St. Landry Parish.

The first Epiphany Episcopal Church building was consecrated January 31, 1861 by Bishop Leonidas Polk. Polk, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, was a graduate of West Point and Virginia Theological Seminary. Shortly after the consecration of our building, Polk (also known as the "Fighting Bishop") took a leave of absence from his ecclesiastical duties to serve as a field commander of Confederate troops with the rank of Major General. He died in combat at Pine Mountain, Georgia on June 14, 1864.

Epiphany Church too went through difficult times with the waxing and waning of history. During the Civil War, parishioners left to fight and some, like Bishop Polk, never returned. Following the Civil War, economic conditions in the area were terribly depressed and there were periods when no priest could be afforded and other times when no one was available. Nonetheless, due to parishioners with vision, and others who were willing to work hard, the church lot was fenced and necessary furnishings for the building gradually accumulated. In 1880, a new church was erected on the corner of Union and Landry streets.

During the post-Civil-War Reconstruction era, the plantation system was modified, but did not disappear. In our parish, land changed hands, and more and more properties were owned by planters who lived in towns and cities or by merchants and banks.

When one views the minutes of the historic Vestry meetings, it is evident how hard our priests and laity worked to keep the church alive and vital. Our women have always been and probably always will be the unsung heroes who, with their projects, kept the church afloat.

The Episcopal Church held the first children's Mardi Gras Balls here in Opelousas. And, out of that, our annual Chicken Salad Sandwich Sale evolved. It is over 75 years old and continues full throttle.

national church is known, and represent it in the worldwide
Anglican community, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.