Catholic churches across Natchitoches Parish will begin operating under a new structure July 1, 2026, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria implements its “Together as One Church” pastoral plan.
In a Dec. 3 letter to parishioners, Robert W. Marshall Jr. announced the completion of the nearly two-year planning process. The first visible step will come June 1, 2026, when new clergy assignments are announced. From that point, pastors will have up to one year to carry out the required adjustments in their parishes.
For many rural congregations in Natchitoches Parish, the changes will mean new leadership structures, possible Mass schedule adjustments and, in some cases, the closing or merging of long-standing churches.
What is changing in Natchitoches Parish
According to diocesan documents, three churches in the parish are scheduled to close within one year of implementation:
Holy Family Chapel, Monet Ferry in Cloutierville
Holy Rosary Chapel, Emmanuel in Lena
St. Joseph Chapel in Trichel
St. Mary Margaret Chapel in Gorum
St. Francis of Assisi Church in Powhatan will be suppressed and amalgamated into St. Anthony of Padua Church in Natchitoches. In practical terms, that means St. Francis will no longer exist as its own parish. Its members, sacramental records, assets and territory will become part of St. Anthony of Padua.
Several churches will remain open but will share pastors or operate as missions:
St. Augustine Church in Natchez and St. John the Baptist Church in Cloutierville will operate in a shared pastorate.
Our Lady of Rosary Chapel in Black Lake will remain a mission served by Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Campti.
St. Anne Church in Spanish Lake will remain a mission served by St. Anthony of Padua in Natchitoches.
St. Anne Chapel in Old River will remain available as a worship site with occasional liturgies determined by the pastoral team.
Larger parishes such as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Campti and St. Anthony of Padua in Natchitoches will continue with resident pastors.
What “closing,” “amalgamating,” and “suppressing” mean
Diocesan leaders emphasized that these terms have specific meanings in church law but may feel very personal to parishioners.
A closure means the church building will no longer be used regularly for Mass or parish activities. The final decision about what happens to the building — whether it becomes a chapel used occasionally, is sold, repurposed or demolished — will be made following church procedures.
Suppression means a parish’s legal identity within the Church is extinguished. The parish no longer exists as its own entity, and its territory becomes part of another parish.
Amalgamation is a merger. One parish remains active while another is suppressed and folded into it. Assets, debts and sacramental records transfer to the receiving parish.
Diocesan officials stressed that baptisms, marriages, confirmations and other sacraments remain fully valid. Parish records — including baptismal and marriage registers and cemetery documents — will be transferred to the designated parish and remain accessible for certified copies and genealogical requests.
What a shared pastor means
In shared pastorates, one priest or pastoral team oversees more than one parish. Each parish keeps its own finance and pastoral councils, bank accounts and sacramental records. However, Mass schedules may be coordinated so the priest can travel between churches.
Priest salaries, benefits and living expenses are shared among the participating parishes, and the pastor typically resides at one rectory.
For parishioners, this could mean changes in Mass times, fewer weekend Masses in some locations or combined liturgies intended to create fuller congregations. Ministries such as religious education, OCIA and adult faith formation may be combined or expanded through collaboration with neighboring parishes.
Why the changes are happening
The diocese cited several factors behind the restructuring, including declining population and Mass attendance in some areas, a shortage of priests, financial challenges and the cost of maintaining multiple facilities within small geographic areas.
Bishop Marshall acknowledged in his letter that the changes may be especially difficult for families in rural communities, where churches often serve as both places of worship and community gathering spaces.
For some parishioners, the plan could mean driving farther for Sunday Mass, attending services at a different church or watching a familiar church building close its doors. At the same time, diocesan leaders say the goal is to strengthen parish life, ensure long-term sustainability and maintain vibrant sacramental life and pastoral care.
Sacred items such as altars, tabernacles, chalices, statues and relics will be handled with reverence and may be transferred to other churches. Cemeteries associated with suppressed or closed parishes will continue to be maintained by the receiving parish, and perpetual care funds must remain dedicated to their intended purpose.
As July 1 approaches, parishioners can expect continued communication from pastors and diocesan leadership outlining timelines and local details. While the structure of some parishes will change, diocesan officials emphasized that the mission of the Church — worship, sacraments and service — will continue in every community.
