Holy Rosary
Redevelopment

The mission of the Holy Rosary Redevelopment Corporation is to restore the three-story building of the Holy Rosary Institute and return it to a place of prominence in the community as a center for educational, economic, social, cultural, and spiritual development.

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

$5000
  • Presenting Sponsor Designation
  • Name Included on all Signage and Promotion
  • 1 Team Entry (3 golfers)
  • 3 Shirts
  • 6 Mulligans
  • 3 Complimentary Cigars

PLATINUM

$2500
  • 3 Golf Hole Signs
  • Listing on Sponsor Board
  • Team Entry (3 golfers)
  • 3 Shirts
  • 6 Mulligans
  • 3 Complimentary Cigars

GOLD

$1000
  • 2 Golf Hole Signs
  • Listing on Sponsor Board
  • Team Entry (3 golfers)
  • 3 Shirts
  • 3 Mulligans

SILVER

$750
  • 1 Golf Hole Sign
  • Listing on Sponsor Board
  • Team Entry (3 golfers)
  • 3 Shirts

BRONZE

$500
  • 1 Golf Hole Sign
  • Listing on Sponsor Board
  • 1 Shirts

HOLE SPONSOR

$100
  • 1 Golf Hole Sign

TEAM

$300
  • 1 Team Entry (3 Golfers)
  • Includes green fees, cart, food, drinks, and more

INDIVIDUAL

$100
  • 1 Golfer
  • Includes green fees, cart, food, drinks, and more
PAY NOW TO REGISTER
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The purpose of the Holy Rosary Institute Main Building Stabilization project is to begin the restoration of the three story main building of Holy Rosary Institute in Lafayette, LA. Founded in 1913, Holy Rosary Institute began as an early vocational and technical school for African American females. The school was staffed by priests and nuns dedicated to the spiritual care of African American students. Holy Rosary Institute has a legacy of providing Catholic education to African Americans during a time when providing a full education to African Americans was illegal. 
The main building on the campus of Holy Rosary Institute once functioned as a convent, dormitory, and school. The three-story 30,087 square foot wood framed and masonry structure is very well designed and appears to be constructed properly. In 1974 due to a decline in enrollment, the facility was closed resulting in a lack of maintenance. The building began to deteriorate and is presently in very poor condition in several areas. A large portion of the roof fell to the second floor and stair to the second floor collapsed making the second and third floor inaccessible. Termites have infested the wood floors, ceilings, and beams and they destroyed much of the historic structure.
The building which once thrived by providing an education to many prominent African Americans in our community is rapidly being ravaged by the elements and termites. It is of the opinion by a licensed architect that immediate attention should be given to stabilize the building. It appears the structural load bearing masonry walls are presently in good conditions. These walls remain in place because of the horizontal support of the floor and roofing. These structural elements are rapidly deteriorating.
The primary objective of this project is to secure the stabilization of the main building by addressing these aforementioned concerns. The Holy Rosary Redevelopment Board has a vision to restore Holy Rosary Institute to its prominence and historic status in the Lafayette community.The long-term goal for this building is to develop and house an African American Library and research lab, a Health & Social Services Department containing materials for research, and restoring the chapel for use.

the need

The proposed project involving the stabilization of the main building of Holy Rosary Institute will lead to enhancing the recognition, understanding, and preservation of resources associated with the African American Civil Rights Movement in a number of ways. The campus of Holy Rosary Institute is located in an area that is considered to be “North Lafayette”, which predominantly African American. This area of Lafayette has been plagued with limited access to affordable and equitable housing, social service, economic development, and infrastructure resources. Unfortunately, North Lafayette is considered to be a marginalized” area of the city. The restoration and rehabilitation of Holy Rosary Institute has the potential to be a pivotal milestone in the redevelopment of an entire section of a city that has been increasingly marginalized over time. Bringing back the stately presence of Holy Rosary Institute would not only preserve and recognize Lafayette’s major contribution to the African American Civil Rights Movement, but would also be a move in the right direction for the residents of North Lafayette.

The board is seeking this assistance in hopes that it will provide a portion of the funds required to continue the restoration and rehabilitation of the building and 40 acre site.

The Resurrecting Rosary event was a blast! Don’t forget to sign up for ways to get involved! Thank you for your incredible support!

ABOUT

The Holy Rosary Institute is a historic school building located at 421 Carmel Street in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is one of the few remaining historic Black Catholic high school buildings in the United States.

The original Greek Revival building, now surrounded by other modern school buildings, was founded in 1913 by Reverend Philip Keller and the Sisters of the Holy Family. The institute was initially built in order to provide vocational and technical education for black females. In 1947, it became a co-ed facility. Enrollment began to decline in the 1960s and in 1974, the boarding facilities were closed. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1980. The school was subsequently closed in 1993. After a series of plans to restore the building fell through, funding for restoration was acquired and groundbreaking began on the project in late 2020.

Our Board meets next on April 22, and agenda is available to view or download below.

VIEW/DOWNLOAD AGENDA

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Preserve one of the state’s most at risk historic structures. Your involvement and support will be monumental in the resurrection of Holy Rosary.

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