About the Bayou Pigeon
Heritage Association

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced, Oct. 1, 2017 that St. Joan of Arc Parish (and its mission church St. Catherine Laboure) at Bayou Pigeon and Bayou Sorrell would cease functioning as a parish in the diocese as of November 24, 2017.

The decision was made with much consternation after several months of intense study, deliberation, and consultation with the then St. Joan of Arc's administrator, parish and finance councils, and its trustees.

On May 3, 2018, “The Bayou Pigeon, Spirit of the Atchafalaya” social
media web page was contacted through that site by a representative of A. Wilbert's LLC, the Landowner (lessee) holding the Lease agreement on the property and the structures

This contact was a final effort to determine if there was anyone from the Bayou Pigeon community interested in working to save this complex from demolition. Such that, A. Wilbert’s, LLC, did not have a use for or an interest in owning these buildings. The Lease agreement called for the property to be returned to original condition no longer than two years after the Church Parish was closed regardless of reasons.

It was beginning to look like entire complex would be have brought back to green fields by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Pigeon Face Book page has hundreds of followers who have a
recognizable connection to the Bayou Pigeon Community. There are land owners, engineers, doctors, attorneys, dentists, bankers, I.T. Specialists, teachers, business leaders, pharmacists, purchasing agents, real estate brokers, construction superintendents, carpenters, machinists, electricians, pipe fitters, millwrights, process operators, professional secretaries, musicians and last but not least professional fishermen. Many great people!

A series of open meetings was held seeking input and a path forward by the Web Page owner. A first group of founders stepped forward. This group was able to create a Corporation, the Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association.

The community of Bayou Pigeon finds itself in an age of the Great Erosion where we are losing our community cohesiveness. Things that kept our close-knit Cajun community together. The closing of the St. Joan of Arc Parish church and complex would not only a have significant economic affect on the future of this unincorporated community but could be the death knell on the Cajun Culture and folklife of the community.

Thus, the founders group came together, held a series of organizational meetings and elected officers and a board of directors. Determined our mission and filed for 501c3 nonprofit organizational status.


The organization reached official nonprofit status, Nov. 9, 2018.

The Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association group has annual dues, we solicit funds from other interested like-minded groups and individuals, hold fund raisers and host events that generate funds that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Monies from the membership are used for General Liability Insurance and Property insurance required per our lease agreement.

The Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association naintains a religious / Chapel / prayer room inside the church open to the public from outside, separate from the rest of the interior of the hall. It is the SHRINE OF OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE.

All future phases of development will made with our mission as our guiding star and always with full membership community input and proper governmental approval if required.

Final word - Heritage preservation is an investment in our community that rewards us today and leaves an invaluable resource for future generations. Heritage preservation can be a draw to tourism and helps businesses attract customers. Our cultural heritage deserves the best care we can provide.

Heritage associations play a vital role in protecting and preserving the story of our lives, history, and society.

Please join and become a friend of the Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association. Use the web site to keep up with the latest news and contact us anytime about any question.

- Chris Daigle / Cliff LeGrange