© 2024 WWNO
WWNO skyline header graphic
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Segregated Church Bathroom Torn Down

89.3 WRKF Baton Rouge | By Amy Jeffries
Published December 12, 2013 at 5:36 AM CST

The parishioners ofOur Lady of Peace in the small plantation town of Vacherie can’t wait to get into their church’s new bathroom building. But for some poorly placed air conditioners, they would have dedicated the building last month.

For decades, the old bathroom building behind the 113-year-old Catholic church stood like a monument to segregation. A few months back, some members of the community started talking about racism in the church and concluded that bathroom needed to come down.

Copyright 2021 WRKF. To see more, visit WRKF.

Before the bulldozer, the bathroom building behind Our Lady of Peace wasn't much to look at.
/
Before the bulldozer, the bathroom building behind Our Lady of Peace wasn't much to look at.
Our Lady of Peace Gospel Choir Director Melissa Smith leads the responsory song.
/
Our Lady of Peace Gospel Choir Director Melissa Smith leads the responsory song.
Anita Battis (far left) and Margaret Cortez (far right) among the congregation at a healing mass.
/
Anita Battis (far left) and Margaret Cortez (far right) among the congregation at a healing mass.
Father Michael Miceli continues his sermon while wood from the old bathroom building burns.
/
Father Michael Miceli continues his sermon while wood from the old bathroom building burns.
A parishioner prays during the healing mass.
/
A parishioner prays during the healing mass.
After the mass, lifelong parishioner Gurfille Keller and pastoral associate Pam Folse share a laugh. (And, yes, that's WRKF's Amy Jeffries with the headphones in the corner).
/
After the mass, lifelong parishioner Gurfille Keller and pastoral associate Pam Folse share a laugh. (And, yes, that's WRKF's Amy Jeffries with the headphones in the corner).
Tags
Louisiana News Vacheriefaithracefeatures
Amy Jeffries
Amy started her career in public radio at WNPR in Hartford, CT more than a decade ago. NPR flew her in to Baton Rouge to help WRKF cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while she was still based in the North. Here she found her journalistic calling.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info