History:
Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana is the sixth oldest church in the Diocese of Lafayette. The Church was established in 1844. One of the earliest missionaries to Charenton was Father Stephen Theodore Badin. Father Badin was the first priest to be ordained in the United States. Badin was in the seminary at the time of the French Revolution. Religious and priests were persecuted at the time of the French Revolution. So, if he were to remain in the seminary, his life was in danger.

Badin fled to the United States and was ordained in Baltimore, Maryland in 1799. Soon after ordination he was sent to the frontiers of Kentucky. He began to evangelize the area. He bought land in a multi state area for development as future parishes and schools. He sold the Holy Cross Fathers the land for the school, which was to, became the University of Notre Dame.

Father Badin was especially interested in the evangelization of Native Americans. That is probably one reason he came to Charenton. Badin performed three of the first baptisms recorded in our parish.

The parish originally included all of the area from New Iberia to Morgan City. Seven parishes were formed from Immaculate Conception Church. Another seven churches were formed from these original seven. Fifteen different parishes now serve the area originally served by Immaculate Conception Church.