The Chapel at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau has just completed an extensive and necessary rehabilitation. For almost two centuries, the Chapel has been the spiritual heart of the campus and the site for Masses, prayer services, professions of vows, graduations, weddings, and first communions. Almost 30 years after the school’s founding in 1821, construction of this chapel began. The work was completed by local tradesmen as well as the enslaved people of the convent. Two unnamed enslaved men, described as beginning their first trade, laid the stone for the foundation in 1850.
In recent years, however, it became apparent that the exterior bricks and mortar were deteriorating at an alarming rate and urgent attention was needed. With a rapid response from alumnae, funds were quickly raised to address Phase 1 of the project, which required repointing of the bricks and exterior stabilization. Phase 2 addressed interior repairs to the walls and ceilings, refinishing of floors, pews, and choir stalls, and various design updates. With the help of state and local grants, alumnae and alumni support, and donation of funds, time, and talent from so many, the work began to complete this $1.1 million project. Starting in 2022 and working alongside historic preservation firms, state agencies, and interior designers, Yvonne Sandoz Adler, Head of School, Monsignor Keith DeRouen, Chaplain, and Terril Judice, Director of Facilities, guided the extensive project to completion in March 2025. Some of the interior restorations include removal of recent plywood paneling in the sanctuary, revealing original architectural details, the construction of an altar using pieces and elements of former gothic altar pieces found in the attic, and the careful rehabilitation of the pews to retain their aged character.
On March 25, 2025, a Mass celebrated by Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel was held to consecrate the new altar. The ceremony began with an outdoor gathering of students, faculty, and staff followed by the opening of the Chapel doors by Lynne Lieux, RSCJ, and the procession of the school community. Sharon Karam, RSCJ, Mary Charlotte Chandler, RSCJ, and Nat Wilburn, Head of Conference, assisted with the deposition of the relics, and a number of Academy and Berchmans students participated as altar servers, readers, and Eucharistic ministers. An extension and updating of the choir loft provided space for ASH upper and lower school choirs to lend their talents as well as individual musical contributions from Berchmans Academy. The school community was extremely eager and thankful to return to the Chapel with this beautiful celebration of their sacred space.
