Point Coupee, Louisiana

Point Coupee is the name of an unincorporated community located in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is the home of St. Francis Chapel. It is located along Louisiana Highway 420, north of New Roads.

History

The community was founded in the 1720s by French settlers. It is one of the oldest communities in the Mississippi Valley. It was originally called "Le Post de Pointe Coupee" ("The Pointe Coupee Post"). About 1776 a "chemin neuf" ("new road") was built to connect the Mississippi River with False River. The area has since become known as New Roads, and is the source of the City of New Roads being named [Lockhart, John M. "Facts of the Matter", " [http://www.riversidereader.com The Riverside Reader] ", May 26, 2008, p. 1] .

The St. Francis Chapel at the Point Coupee settlement was originally completed in 1728. A new church building was constructed in 1760, but built too close to the Mississippi River. Graves in the church's graveyard were consumed by the waters of the Mississippi. The church was taken down, and a smaller version was erected using materials from the previous church. This newer structure was dedicated in 1895. The church is known as the fourth oldest continuously operating Catholic church in Louisiana. St. Francis Chapel is now a mission church of St. Mary's of False River . The town of St. Francisville is named for the St. Francis Chapel [ [http://www.pcchamber.org/churches.htm Pointe Coupee Parish Churches ] ] .

References