Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Gothic Revival cathedral in Houma, United States

The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales is a Gothic Revival church located in Houma with distinctive pointed arches and external buttresses. Inside, soaring vaults and a well-proportioned nave create a tall, open interior space designed for worship.

St. Francis de Sales Parish was founded around 1847 by the Rev. Zéphyrin Lévêque, with Mass first celebrated in the Terrebonne Parish courthouse. The first church, a Romanesque building, was completed in 1848 and was damaged by a hurricane in the 1920s. Construction on the present church began in 1936 under the Rev. August Vandebilt, whose generosity made the building possible, and it was completed in 1938. On March 2, 1977, Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the church was elevated to cathedral rank.

The cathedral stands as a visual expression of how the Catholic community in South Louisiana chose to build and worship during the 20th century. It remains a gathering place where local traditions of faith continue to shape daily life in Houma.

The church is easily explored on foot and visitors should dress respectfully, especially if services are taking place. Visiting outside of service times allows for a quieter experience where you can observe the details without interruption.

Bishop Warren Boudreaux, the first bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, is buried beneath the raised marble altar, near the statue of the Blessed Mother. The diocese was created by Pope Paul VI on March 2, 1977, when the parish church became a cathedral. The parish grounds also hold St. Francis de Sales Cemetery #1, the historic cemetery, and an unoccupied convent now being renovated as a vocations resource center.