History of Our Lady of Fatima Church

Our Lady of Fatima Parish was created on November 29, 1952 by Bishop Charles P. Greco. Father George W. Martinez was appointed pastor of the new parish which consisted of approximately two hundred families within the Northeast Louisiana State College area and several acres of land donated to the Diocese of Alexandria by the heirs of Robert Breard.

On December 21, 1952, over 100 members of OLF met in the gymnasium of St. Matthew’s Church to make plans for the building of an elementary school with 6 classrooms and gymnasium. The estimated cost was approximately $140,000. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on Sunday March 2, 1953 with Bishop Greco scooping the first shovel of dirt.

Barracks, acquired from the Selman Field Air Base, were converted into an apartment for Fr. Martinez and a convent. Mass was held at Sherrouse School until the school and gymnasium were completed in September 1953.

School started September 28, 1953 with 60 students in grades 1-4. Three Franciscan sisters were “loaned” from other Monroe area Catholic schools. The “kindergarten” building was added in 1957 and was used for the largest class each year.

The current church building was completed February 14, 1959. In 1963 a new wing was added to the school to house fifth through eighth grades, principal’s office, library, bathroom facilities and a storage room. The Parish House, a rectory-office-meeting building was built in 1970. At this time Our Lady of Fatima had 350 families and 230 students. The current rectory was built in 1972 as the convent.

The Virgin Mary, the three children and the two lambs sat on the Church grounds until 2006 when the current grotto was built. It is dedicated to the memory of Msgr. George W. Martinez.