St. Joseph Gretna
Father T. Anwander, C.SS.R., with a
group of laymen, organized the mother
church of West Jefferson in 1857.
Previously Redemptorists crossing
the Mississippi from the city of
Lafayette had served the German, Irish,
French and American-born Catholics
of Mechanicks' Village or Mechanikham,
planned by surveyor Benjamin Buisson
with a square ground for a church.
Father (Later Canon) J.B. Bogaerts
served as pastor, 1863-1871, and
organized the St. Joseph Benevolent
Association. MSGR. P.M.H. Wynhoven
opened during his tenure, 1917-1935,
several of the 13 Parishes formed
up to now from the original
St. Joseph Parish.