In early 1957, Father Raymond J. Gobeil, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Patterson, recognized Bayou Vista’s growing population. Catholic families in the area were divided between St. Joseph Parish and St. Stephen Parish in Berwick.

Father Gobeil began considering a chapel in Bayou Vista where Sunday and Holy Day Masses could be celebrated and catechism classes could be held for children.

Father Gobeil gathered several leading Bayou Vista residents to discuss the proposed chapel. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Magee, Hudson Babin, B. L. Como Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Overton Barousse, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Beaugh, Mrs. Smith Alpha, and Miss Joyce Barousse.

The group decided to purchase 4.1 acres in Bayou Vista for $8,252. A $10-per-plate dinner was planned to begin raising money for the property. Father Gobeil also asked Bayou Vista residents belonging to St. Joseph Parish to identify themselves on their offertory envelopes so their contributions could support the fund.

After several years of fundraising, the 4.1-acre property was paid in full.

As Bayou Vista continued to grow, Father Gobeil recognized that the community needed more than a chapel. He wrote to Bishop Maurice Schexnayder to recommend the establishment of a separate parish.

Bishop Maurice Schexnayder officially established the Parish of St. Bernadette.

Father Albert J. Boumans was appointed the first pastor of St. Bernadette. He had arrived in the area in May and initially lived at the St. Stephen rectory in Berwick.

Father Boumans appointed Dr. F. A. Russo and Mr. J. E. Magee as the parish’s first trustees. He then gathered the men of the parish to begin raising the money needed to build a church and classrooms. They canvassed Catholic families throughout the parish and asked each household to pledge what it could give.

Based on available funds and parishioner pledges, the parish established a building budget of $100,000.

A contract was signed with the architectural firm of Lloyd Guillory to design a multipurpose building. That original building now serves as the Parish Hall.

Construction bids were opened, and James A. Eiland Jr. Inc. received the contract with a bid of $127,900.

The parish held its groundbreaking ceremony for the multipurpose church building. Construction began the following month.

Construction was completed by All Saints Day, and the first Mass was celebrated in the new building.

Bishop Warren Boudreaux, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette and future Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, dedicated the church.

As the parish continued to grow, Father Boumans and parish trustees Mrs. Elizabeth Russo and Mr. J. E. Magee approached Bishop Schexnayder with plans for a larger church and parish rectory.

The estimated budget was $225,000. Bishop Schexnayder initially declined the proposal because of high interest rates.

When Bishop Schexnayder visited St. Bernadette for Confirmation in 1971, he gave Father Boumans permission to proceed. The debt on the original church had been paid, and interest rates had become more favorable.

The men of the parish conducted another door-to-door campaign, asking Catholic families to increase their offertory contributions. The campaign resulted in a 40% increase.

The Parish Council served as the Building Committee. Its members were J. E. Magee, Mrs. Elizabeth Russo, Murray Duval, Howard Simon, Emmett Sellers, Russell Hebert, Ronald Coleman, Alvin Legendre, Lester Waguespack, and Rodney Duplantis.

Bids for the new church and rectory were opened. The contract was awarded to Fangue Brothers of Morgan City for $268,836.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held after the 10:00 AM Mass.

Father Boumans moved into the new parish rectory after living for nearly eight years in two small classrooms in the original church.

Construction was completed, and the first Mass was celebrated in the new St. Bernadette Church.

Bishop Maurice Schexnayder presided over the dedication ceremony. Mass was concelebrated by Father Boumans and members of his ordination class.

The completed church, with its golden spire and cross, became a visible sign of faith at the center of Bayou Vista and a reminder that the parish stands united in Christ.