Parish History

The Diocese of Shreveport
The civil parishes and church parishes of Northwest Louisiana are part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Diocese of Shreveport was canonically erected on June 16, 1986 when Pope John Paul II split the former Diocese of Alexandria–Shreveport into the Dioceses of Alexandria and Shreveport. Our diocesan cathedral is the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans in Shreveport.

Parish History
The history of the Catholic Church in Northwest Louisiana dates back to the year 1717, when the venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus, a Franciscan missionary, first visited what is now known as Sabine Parish. Fr. Margil came into contact with the Adaes Native Americans at Spanish Lake in Natchitoches Parish, and built what was likely the first church in the State of Louisiana. 

Our Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church was originally established during the administration of Bishop Penalver. The first small church or chapel was erected about one and one-half miles southeast of Bayou Scie (which means "little valley," Zwolle's original name). The second church on Bayou Scie, Las Cabezas (which means "the head"), was established about 1795. Records indicate another church or chapel in this vicinity was known as Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. These legacy churches have passed into history, and have been succeeded by our present-day St. Joseph Catholic in Zwolle.

St. Ann Chapel
Beautiful St. Ann Catholic Chapel, located in the Ebarb Community in Northwest Louisiana, was officially dedicated and blessed April 1, 1935 by Bishop Desmond of the Diocese of Alexandria. For more information, click the St. Ann Chapel link on this website. 

About Zwolle
Zwolle, population 1,800, boasts one of the most unique and colorful heritage of all the cities in the state of Louisiana. The local culture reflects the influence of Native Americans, as well as African American, French, and Spanish settlers.

A Cultural Gem
Located in the heart of Sabine Parish, Zwolle is small in size, but big on exuberance and entertainment. Zwolle hosts three large and exciting festivals each year: the Choctaw Apache Indian Pow-Wow, the Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival, and the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta. Zwolle's proximity to Toledo Bend Lake makes it a premier destination for fishing and water sports enthusiasts. Its abundant woods and forests also make it attractive to hunters and sportsmen.