In the mid 1800s, a small community was beginning to emerge on the banks of Bayou Lafourche near Canal Harang. The community had no official name yet. The people of the community needed a place for religious services, so they built a small Catholic Chapel on the southeast bank of the junction of Bayou Lafourche and Canal Harang. In the 1860s, a priest from the northern part of Lafourche Parish would visit this little Chapel four times a year to do Baptisms, give communion, and religious instruction. For other religious services, people of the community would have to travel 12 miles north on Bayou Lafourche to Lockport to have marriages performed and to bury their loved ones. But with the growth in this small community came a greater demand for its spiritual need.
A permanent Church, which would serve all of the South Lafourche communities, came into a reality with the donation of land from Octive Harang. In 1873, a small wooden Church was built and the first priest, Reverend Hyacinthe Brindejone, served the community of about 300 until 1876. Reverend Dominic Crespin, who stayed until 1879, replaced him. In 1879, Reverend Oliver Bre was assigned to serve the people of this area. Reverend E.F. Lavacquery became pastor and served in the capacity until 1889. During these times, the small community grew and it became necessary to enlarge the Church.
This was accomplished under the Pastorship of Reverend Emile Peufier. Father Peufier was reassigned in 1890 and was replaced by Father Adrien Kohner. The trustees of the Parish, along with Father Kohner under Archbishop Francis Janssens, formed The Congregation de Notre Dame du Rosaire on August 7, 1894. In 1896, Reverend A.M. Rochard effected minor repairs to the Church and also started efforts for the establishment of a Chapel in Cut Off to serve the people of the lower part of Lafourche Parish. In the late 1800s, the community became known as Larose after the local druggist who had a post office in his store.
From 1899 to 1906, Reverend B.G. Durand served. The Harang Canal became known as the Harvey Canal and was later utilized by the United States War Department and renamed the Intracoastal Waterway. By utilizing the development of the waterway, Reverend Alexander Juille' arranged the further remodeling and enlargement of the Church during his tenure from 1906 to 1912. He acquired a set of chimes and other necessary equipment for the Church. He also furthered the spiritual growth of the South Lafourche community by constructing Chapels in Golden Meadow and Galliano. The Parish plant was enlarged with the purchase of property from the Foret family. Reverend Juille' died in 1912 and was buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery, which he helped to develop and improve.
Upon the death of Reverend Juille', Father F.M. Jan was assigned to serve the people of Larose. In 1915, the Chapel in Golden Meadow was released from Larose and became Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish. Likewise, Cote Blanche (Cut Off) Chapel became Sacred Heart Parish and the Galliano Chapel became St. Joseph Parish. The small communities of the 1850s had grown enough to support their own Churches.
Reverend J.M. Evano served from 1918 to 1925 and continued the work of meeting the needs of the people by improving the Church. While on a visit to France, Father Evano died.
Reverend Charles Tessier became pastor. Through his foresight, a new church building was completed on February 21, 1933. This was the third Church built on this site and is the present Church used by the people of Larose. The Church could accommodate 565 families at a cost of only $33,000. A Church hall was built in 1915 and served as a theatre for showing silent movies. The first Larose branch library was housed at the hall, along with recreation and CYO boxing programs. Father Tessier celebrated his golden Sacerdotal Jubilee on December 19, 1937 in Larose. He served as pastor of Larose until his death in 1950. Father Tessier is also buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery.
During the last years of Father Tessier, an associate pastor was assigned. Reverend Arthur Lieux stayed on as administrator after Father Tessier died. Father Lieux directed a passion play in the Church hall. Under his leadership, youth organizations became active. Father Lieux was transferred in 1950. The new pastor was Reverend Maurice Gubler who served from 1950 to 1953 and was followed by Reverend G.T. Rief who served until 1955.
Reverend Emile Fossier became the next pastor and served from 1955 to 1965. Reverend Fossier's dedicated accomplishments included the renovation of the Church; stained glass windows were installed, which depict the mysteries of the Rosary. Holy Rosary School opened its doors in 1963. The school was formed to serve children in the South Lafourche community. At its inception, the school housed 42 students in 1st and 2nd grades under the direction of Father Fossier and the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who served as faculty. The introduction to Confraternity of Christian Doctrine began as a program. Catechism had always been taught, but not as a continuing program after Confirmation. During his tenure, the community suffered the devastation of a tornado from Hurricane Hilda. Twenty-three people were left dead.
Reverend Preston Marquette served one year in the parish and promoted the enclosure of the two lower classrooms and addition of two grades to the school.
Reverend William Koninkx initiated the project of having the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary indentified by sections. During his pastorate from 1966 to 1970, Father Koninkx spearheaded the naming of streets in the area. This alleviated the frustration that arose in locating homes for sick calls and other visits. He also brought the laity to greater awareness through the organization of a Parish Council. The first phase of a mausoleum was started during this period.
Reverend Austin Carrico became associate in 1965 and continued until 1968. His heart condition kept him from being active, yet he found joy in various carpentry jobs in Church before he was transferred to retirement in 1968. It was the same year that Reverend John Keller came to Larose as an associate. Father Keller organized a Religious Education Committee. His experience overseas as a Maryknoll Missionary Priest made him conscious of the need for religious education. Father Keller established a summer religious education program that coordinated with a Saturday program during the school year. He served for three years with Father Koninkx, then with Reverend Sterling Beninato who became pastor in 1970.
Father Beninato knew many of the parishioners from his earlier associations and tenure at Holy Savior in Lockport. While pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary, he continued working with his special interest, a Charismatic Community in New Orleans, as he started a Charismatic Community in Larose.
In 1973, The Congregation de Notre Dame du Rosaire celebrated its Centennial. Father Keller became administrator in 1973 and stayed until 1976. He made the Parish aware of the need for Social Ministry. His interest in fostering the continuing expansion of the Altar Boys carried over from Father Koninkx. He installed the first Eucharistic Ministers. Reverend Malachy McCool, a native of Ireland, arrived as associate in 1973 and stayed for seven years. Father McCool also served the new pastor, Reverend Warren Chassaniol.
Father Chassaniol exhibited a quiet approach to his priestly duties and especially liked to decorate the altars with fresh flowers. Another associate during the year 1980-1981 was Reverend Calvin Burleigh. Reverend Roger Raux also came in 1980 and served as associate for six years. He returned to France after his tenure in Larose.
Reverend Dean Danos, a native of Larose, was the first pastor in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux named to serve the Parish he grew up in. He assumed the duties of pastor in 1985 and remained pastor until 2005.
A new rectory was purchased and the old rectory has become the Parish Office. Staff development grew, along with laity involvement in the Parish under Father Dean's tenure. The cemetery has doubled in size over the years.
Reverend Joseph Pierera became administrator from 2005 to 2006. In 2006, Reverend Francis Bui became pastor. Reverend Alberto Santiago joined us in 2008 as associate pastor. Father Francis left in 2010. Father Alberto became pastor and left in 2011. Father Robert Rogers became administrator until Father Ronilo Villamor became pastor in 2012 and left in May of 2018. Father Domingo Cruz is serving as associate pastor. Father Duc Bui joined us in 2018 and is currently still serving as pastor.
Deacon Michael Cantrelle, a native of Larose, has served as deacon in our Parish since his ordination on May 18, 1996. He retired in 2017. Deacon Davis Doucet, who as also served our Parish, retired in 2016.
