Alphabet File page 83

  Macedonia Baptist, Morris, BSL

  Shoreline Baptist, Kiln Cut Off Road, Waveland

  Victory Baptist, Hwy 603

 

CHURCHES - Catholic

Annunciation – properly, Church of The Annunciation, Kiln (Ph 48 thru 50, 55)

   (The history of this Catholic church is reproduced here by a special permission of The Most Revered Richard Oliver Gerow, S.T.D., Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Natchez. 

  Reproduced for “Catholicity in Mississippi,” compiled by Bishop Gerow, and originally printed 1939, limited edition, Natchez, Mississippi.)

 

   Kiln, situated 15 miles from Bay St. Louis, on the Jordan River and formerly known by the latter name, is one of the oldest Catholic settlements in the diocese.  Indians of the Choctaw-Muskhogean family inhabited this territory before white settlers began to reside in it early in the 18th century.  Baptismal records of the pioneer Catholics are to be found in the parochial registers of St. Louis Cathedral at New Orleans and the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Biloxi, evidence which indicates that Catholic missionaries from these parishes visited the Jordan River missions.

 

   When the Diocese of natchez had sufficient priests, Bishop Chanche requested Rev. Louis Buteux on July 31, 1847, to take care of Jordan River, Pearl River, Wolf River and Pass

 

 Christian as missions of Bay St. Louis.  Rev. H. Leduc, successor of Father Buteux, continued to visit this territory. His annual report under date of September 17, 1860, indicates that the Jordan River mission was attended by him one every six weeks and that a chapel was being erected there,  At this time the Catholic population amounted to some 300 souls, with a slightly lesser number scattered around the outlying territory.

 

   Rev. H. A. DeMorangies took charge of Jordan River (Kiln) and it missions in April, 1869, being introduced to his flock by Father Leduc, who, writing to Bishop Elder on June 10, 1870, says:  “Father DeMorangies is well and doing his best; he travels continually in the rivers (I. e., Jordan River, Red River and Wolf River, this territory being known as “The Rivers” or “Three Rivers”) ... The congregation is so poor.  The dear Father has now a good horse.”  Jordan River became known as Kiln in 1913.  Before long a new school building opened its doors at Jordan River with a satisfactory enrollment.  A new church was built on a convenient site after a brief delay, and the spiritual and material foundations of the community became organized.  Father DeMorangies was promoted to Holly Springs in April, 1871, and an elderly priest, Father Florent, succeeded him for some months when, forced by ill health he resigned and Father LeDuc of Bay St. Louis resumed the responsibility of attending the missions until the arrival of a resident priest at Jordan River.

 

   In November, 1872, Rev. T. Meerschaert arrived at Bay St. Louis to relieve Father LeDuc of the responsibility of the Three Rivers Territory.  His zeal, energy and continual ministry at Jordan River, Pearl River and surrounding missions were fruitful and lasting.  Lost sheep returned to the fold, children were instructed in catechism and prepared for Holy Communion, and the attendance at Holy Mass increased,  Chapels were built on the missions, and a school was operated although under considerable financial difficulties. 

  Father Meerschaert’s term at Jordan River witnessed the definite growth of the Catholic community on a solid foundation.

 

   Wide Area Is Served by Jordan River Pastorate - Rev. A. Oberti succeeded Father

 

 Meerschaert in October, 1874, and after some time Father Oberti was in turn relieved by Rev. l. Dutto, who, as assistant to Father LeDuc of Bay St. Louis, cooperated with the latter in attending the Three Rivers until Rev. A. J. Van Waesberghe took full control from 1881 to 1890.

   During Father van “Waesberghe’s term of office Bayou Cadet, La Croix, Pearlington and Wolftown are listed as missions of Jordan River, while many small groups of Catholics scattered over an extensive territory depended on the Jordan River pastorate.  In 1886 a new church was built at Jordan River to replace the old one which had become too small  groups of Catholics scattered over an extensive territory depended on the Jordan River pastorate.  In 1886 a new church was built a Jordan River to replace the old one which had become too small.  Bishop Janssens dedicated the new building on November 14 of the same year. 

  Henceforth it was known as the Church of the Annunciation.  At this time Wolftown and missions in Harrison county became the responsibility of Rev. A. Ketels, thus lessening the burden which Father van Waesberghe had carried for nearly five years.  In January, 1890, the latter was assigned to Aberdeen and, after a few months, Rev. H. Mortier was appointed and remained in control until 1894.  His memory still lives in that section of the diocese where he distinguished himself visiting his flock, often on foot, and teaching catechism to the young.

 

   Rev. Eugene Schmitt—1894 - 1897 – and Rev. P. DeGruyter - 1899 - 1903 - served in turn at Jordan River, and then Rev. Joseph H.H. Chauvin, on October 8, 1903, became administrator of Kiln and its missions.  His first annual report informs us that he had a total Catholic population of 480 souls.  He remained in charge for 16 years.  Pearlington, Logtown, Bayou Cadet, Lakeshore, Bayou LaCroix, Fenton, M. Cuevas and Alcey Nicaise settlements were attended by him for many years.  When the parish of Waveland was established in 1912, Bayou Cadet and Pearlington were attached to it.

 

   Rev. A. C. Denis succeeded Father Chauvin in August, 1919.  He is the present (1939( pastor.  When he assumed control Fenton, Bay LaCroix (Dilleville) and White Cypress (Standard) were missions attached to Kiln.  In his annual report for 1925 the total Catholic population of Kiln and the missions of Vidailia, Bayou LaCroix, Rocky Hill, White Cypress and Fenton amounted to 1778 souls, of which number 549 were at Kiln.  During the next decade, despite the loss of Bayou LaCroix, and increase in the population took place.

 

   A vacation school was conducted at Kiln during the summer of 1934.  In 1935 vacation schools were held at Rock Hill and Vidalia, in 1936 at Kiln, Fenton and Rocky Hill, and in 1937 at Vidaila.  During his term of office Father Denis has Built new churches at Rocky Hill, White Cypress, Vidalia and Fenton.

 

   With few exceptions the present inhabitants of the territory are of French or Spanish descent.  Isolated from the outside world, their ordinary conversation is in the French language, though the majority can speak English as well.  Economically, Kiln has not made very distinct progress in modern times, but spiritually it is on a level of its on, due in great measure to tireless priests who, despite the difficulties of travel and long journeys over roads which for many years were often impassable in winter, have not spared themselves in the ministry.

 

OUR LADY OF THE GULF CHURCH - Bay St. Louis

 

   (The history of this Catholic church is reproduce here by special permission of the Most Reverend Richard Oliver Gerow, S.T.D., Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Natchez.  Reproduced form Catholicity In Mississippi, limited edition, complied by Bishop Gerow, originally printed 1939, Natchez, MS.)

 

   Long before the advent of the French explorers, the city of St. Louis was an Indian village bearing the name of Achoupoulou.  In all probability, Robert Chevalier de la Salle was the first white man to explore this part of the coast.  Jacques de la Metairie, the official historian of La Salle’s expedition, tells us that on April 7, 1682, La Salle went to reconnoiter the shores of the Gulf coast.  Six years later the faithful Tonti came as far as the Gulf to seek tidings of his lost friend.

 

   When Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville came to plant the fleur-de-lis of France on the Gulf Coast, his attention was drawn to this little village.  French, the historian, tells us:  “On the 12^th of April, 1600, d’Iberville set out to visit a bay about nine leagues from Ship Island, to which he gave the name of St. Louis.  But, finding the water very shallow there, he concluded to fix his settlement at Biloxi.”  This, however, was joust a casual visit to sound the depths of the water, and it remained for his brother, Jean Baptiste le Moyne de Bienville, to set foot on the land and give it the present name.  This he did on the feast of St. Louis, August 25, 1699.