St. Ann Catholic Church has been in existence for 96 years. When the parish was created in 1914, there were many Catholic families scattered over the central part of Evangeline Parish, most of them around the town of Mamou, which had been incorporated in 1911. The majority were farmers or in farm related businesses.

Today, about 1,129 families make up the Catholic community of St. Ann parish which includes Holy Spirit Chapel in Vidrine. Many are still farmers or in farm related businesses, though not as many as in past years. Due to economic conditions and the emergence of the oil industry in the area and offshore, many parishioners work in that industry. A large hospital complex in Mamou also provides local jobs.

During its 96 year history, St. Ann parish has had eleven pastors: Fathers August Viel, 1914-1928; Fidele Chiasson, 1928-1943; J. Albert LeBlanc, 1943-1977; Albert Gayle Nunez, 1977-1983; Herbert C. deLauney, 1983-1986; Gene Mixtacki, 1986-1990; Louis Lam Vu, 1990-1994; Timothy Richard, 1992-2002; Robert Courville, 2002-2008; Bryce Sibley, 2008-2010 and Mark Melancon, 2010-present.

Twenty-three associate pastors have served the parish from 1929 to date: Fathers Charles Levesseur, Omer Begin, J. R. Dubuc, Philip Clouthier, Hubert J. Vlosseloer, Francois Bussiere, Etienne Chiasson, James R. Broussard, Robert L. Guidry, Ralph J. Landry, Edward J. Degeyter, Columban Lesquivit, Roland G. Vaughn, Michael John Barras, Donald P. Pelous, Louis Allen Breaux, Tommy Callais, Tim Richard, John Kanjiramkuzhy, Pius Valloran, Bob Courville, Emmanuel Okwaraocha, and Jude W. Thierry.

Though not many, throughout the years St. Ann Church has had some of its members enter the priesthood and religious life; Father Francis Bourgeois, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bourgeois; Father Lane Fontenot, son of Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Fontenot; Maude Bergeron, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Drew Bergeron; Evangeline Fontenot, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Octave Fontenot; Isabelle Fontenot, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Edna P. Fontenot; Cora Aucoin, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Mary Aucoin and a niece of Father Fidele Chiasson; Sybil Bourgeois, daughter of  Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bourgeois; and Bonita Young, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Elud Young. After many years without a vocation, St. Ann parish was excited about the ordination of Fr. Kevin Bordelon to the priesthood in 2005. He is the son of Ray & Pat Bordelon, parishioners of Holy Spirit Chapel in Vidrine.

St. Ann parish has always had lay people involved in helping the pastor in one way or another. The Altar Severs, Ushers and Choir were organized as soon as the parish was established. Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and a Parish Council were organized in the 1970’s. The Ladies Altar Society, though unofficially in existence for some years, was formally organized in 1929. The Knights of Columbus was chartered in 1928, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in 1947, the Junior Catholic Daughters in 1949 and the Catholic Youth Organization in 1983. Holy Spirit Chapel in Vidrine, completed in 1982 and dedicated in 1983, had all the ministries represented.

Several other organizations have been formed since Vatican II, namely: Cursillo Ultreyas for men and women, Come Lord Jesus, a Charismatic Prayer Group, Legion of Mary, Cajun Crusaders Youth Group, Familia, ……

In 1981, St. Theresa Church in Pins Clair was joined with St. Ann Church parish. The little church in Pins Clair was moved to the pecan grove near the old sister’s home. It was then that St. Theresa Church became our parish hall. Later on when St. Francis Center, which houses a Parish thrift store and food pantry for the needy, was in need of a new building, St. Theresa Hall became the new St. Francis Center.

In July of 1992 a Perpetual Adoration Chapel was established and is still in existence.

In 2002, the new Religious Education Building was completed and now serves the students of Mamou and Vidrine for the Summer Religion Program. The large room in the center of the building is used for many church functions such as parish group meetings, St. Joseph’s Altar, etc…

While living through much adversity, wars, recessions and natural disasters, the parishioners of St. Ann’s have created a strong united Christian community, and look to the future with hope, strength, determination and faith in God.