Holy Trinity Catholic

Fannin at Marshall

         With the rejection of Catholicism being so widespread in the strongly Protestant part of the state, several parishes in North Louisiana failed to have a Catholic Church during the 1800’s; however, Holy Trinity Catholic Church was established in Shreveport in 1856. ¹Today the Romanesque Revival structure is home to the oldest congregation in North Louisiana.²

By 1858 a brick church was built on the site.³

Father Joseph Gentille, a native of St. Brieux, France, was called in from Lake Providence to be pastor after five priests who served Holy Trinity Church died in the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. He served for twenty-two years and made plans to construct a new church. ⁴But his death came on October 15, 1894, and the cornerstone of the church was laid in 1896.⁵

Architect J. M. Clayton of Galveston, Texas gave two designs for the church, one in Gothic Revival and the other in Romanesque Revival. From there a modern version
 of the Romanesque Revival was constructed.⁶Pointed
gables and twin circular towers mark the exterior of the
church, which has stained glass dating from the 1890’s to the 1980’s. The church also features the Gothic rose windows at the front and transept ends.⁷

The church’s sixty stained glass windows were first installed under Fr. Francis Bertels of Belgium.⁸ The stained glass window depicting the Nativity of Jesus was a gift of Howard Frederick Doll, in memory of his daughter, Alberta Doll, who died in 1897 at the age of seventeen. ⁹The main altar was also a gift from Howard Frederick Doll and is carved from solid block of Italian Carrara marble. ¹⁰The two Gothic side altars were originally in the chapel at the St. Vincent’s Academy, but were moved here when the academy was demolished.¹¹The altar railings are also carved from Italian marble.¹² In 1880 the church bell was bought from McNeely Bell Company of Troy, New York. The columns in the church are faux marbre, and the Stations in the Way of the Cross are hand carved. ¹³

The rectory, or home of the priest, was designed by the Edward F. Neild firm and built in 1928.¹⁴ The old rectory was demolished.¹⁵

Monsignor Van Haver, who died in 1945, was responsible for the new organ, the painting of the interior, the automatic bell ringing system, and the new heating system. ¹⁶ New pews, doors, and lighting were installed under Monsignor J. V. Plauche.  The renovation was completed on Thanksgiving Day in 1946 in time for the Golden Anniversary of the church.  In 1974 Monsigner William O’Hanlan came to Holy Trinity Church.  The leaking ceiling and rotting wood was replaced and the church was restored to its present condition.  The garden next to the church, known as “Our Lady’s Garden,” is a memorial for World War II veterans.¹⁷In 1952 Holy Trinity was the only Catholic church in Shreveport to have air conditioning. ¹⁸

In 1984 Plexiglass was installed over the stained glass windows for protection, a new roof was installed, restrooms were constructed, the artwork was restored, and new lighting and carpeting were installed. ¹⁹ The church was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 27, 1984.²⁰ 

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Parish of Caddo 2004©