Diocese of Natchitoches

The Diocese of Natchitoches, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, was a historic diocese in northern Louisiana in the United States. Established in 1853 by Pope Pius IX, it served the growing Catholic population in the region until its suppression in 1910, when its territory was transferred to the newly erected Diocese of Alexandria. The diocese played a key role in the evangelization of rural Louisiana during the nineteenth century under the ecclesiastical province of New Orleans. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Natchitoches

Diocese: Diocese of Natchitoches
Status:	Historic
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:	Province of New Orleans
Country:	United States
Region:	Louisiana
Existence:	1853–1910
Predecessor Dioceses:	Archdiocese of New Orleans
Successor Dioceses:	Diocese of Alexandria

Establishment

The Diocese of Natchitoches was erected on 29 July 1853 by Pope Pius IX to serve the expanding Catholic communities in northern Louisiana, carved from territory previously under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

History

Early Years

The diocese was founded amid the rapid settlement of northern Louisiana following the Louisiana Purchase. Its first bishop, Auguste Marie Martin, arrived in 1853 and established the see at Natchitoches, overseeing missionary work among French, Creole, and immigrant populations.

Suppression

In 1910 the Holy See suppressed the Diocese of Natchitoches and erected the Diocese of Alexandria on its former territory, transferring the episcopal see to Alexandria to better serve the growing population centers.

Geography

The diocese encompassed the northern portion of Louisiana, including the following historical parishes and regions:

• Natchitoches Parish
• Caddo Parish
• Bossier Parish
• Webster Parish
• Claiborne Parish
• Bienville Parish
• Red River Parish
• DeSoto Parish
• Sabine Parish
• Vernon Parish
• Rapides Parish (northern sections)
• Grant Parish
• Winn Parish
• Jackson Parish
• Lincoln Parish
• Union Parish
• Morehouse Parish
• Ouachita Parish (western sections)
• Caldwell Parish
• LaSalle Parish
• Catahoula Parish (northern sections)

It formed part of the Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans.

Mother Church

The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Natchitoches served as the mother church of the diocese until suppression. The historic structure, originally built in the nineteenth century, remains standing and is now a parish church within the Diocese of Alexandria.

Leadership

Past Bishops

Name	Tenure	Notes
Auguste Marie Martin	1853–1875	First Bishop of Natchitoches; oversaw initial organization of the diocese.
Francis Xavier Leray	1876–1879	Appointed Bishop of Natchitoches; later transferred to the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Anthony Durier	1884–1904	Led the diocese for two decades; focused on parish expansion.
Cornelius Van de Ven	1904–1910	Last Bishop of Natchitoches; transferred to the newly erected Diocese of Alexandria.

Titular Status

The Diocese of Natchitoches was suppressed in 1910 and its territory incorporated into the Diocese of Alexandria. It has not been restored as a titular see.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Natchitoches:

Did you know? The Diocese of Natchitoches was erected in 1853 by Pope Pius IX, making it one of the earliest dioceses established in the American South after the Louisiana Purchase.

Surprise! Its first bishop, Auguste Marie Martin, traveled from France to lead a vast frontier territory that included dozens of scattered Catholic missions.

Here's something cool: The original cathedral in Natchitoches was dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and still stands today as a beloved parish church.

Wow moment: The diocese once covered more than twenty northern Louisiana parishes before its territory was reassigned in 1910.

Little-known gem: Bishop Anthony Durier served for twenty years and helped establish many rural parishes still active in the region.

Fun fact: The suppression of the see in 1910 led directly to the creation of the Diocese of Alexandria, preserving Catholic ministry across the same historic lands.

Surprise! Early bishops navigated challenges of yellow fever outbreaks and Civil War disruptions while building the young diocese.

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External Links

• Catholic-Hierarchy entry on the historic Diocese of Natchitoches