HISTORY 

The roots of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission trace back over 100 years to the community of Butte La Rose. Despite early challenges like the the 1927 flood, the community persevered, leading to the construction of a chapel in Nina, blessed by Bishop Jeanmard in 1930, which was named "Our Lady of Mercy." In 1938, Bishop Jeanmard assigned a dedicated priest to serve the Atchafalaya Basin, where he established several missions, including one in Butte La Rose and another in Henderson, named "Saints Cyril and Methodius." In 1945, the Henderson chapel was relocated, and by 1960, a new brick church was built on that site and named "Our Lady of Mercy," merging the two missions into one community. The Nina Chapel was then moved to the Henderson Church property, where it continues to function as the Parish Hall today, and the new church was dedicated on October 9, 1960.

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OUR WORK​

Sainte-Chapelle Studios was engaged to design a full-scale renovation of the sanctuary, nave, and devotional spaces of the existing church. During the course of exploring the possibilities for their growing parish, the decision was made to design a full addition of a narthex and baptistry, complete with a new modern cry room and restroom facility. The existing exposed structural frame of the bell tower was also studied and wrapped in an exterior finish system that gave the tower additional height and character to match the main structure. The exterior design took its influence from the interior improvements, creating continuity starting from the new Porte cochere, through the sanctuary, and culminating at the new custom designed liturgical furnishings and baldacchino.​​​​