Address 133 South Main St., Martinville, LA 70582

Year Built c. 1836, Church Archives from 1756

Building History

The scene in 1896 looks remarkably the same as scene looks like today. The church has planted more trees and erected several statues; otherwise, it looks quite similar. First designed in 1836 by Pierre Benjamin Buisson, a famous New Orleans’ architect, the construction on the original Gothic Revival church building began in 1837. Due to disagreements over the original plans, delivery delays, and a shortage of funds, the construction was not finished until seven years later. The rectory was built in 1856 and the parish hall (now the Le Petit Paris Museum) was built in 1861. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1982, the church is significant as the Mother Church of Acadiana. It was open for tours.

Building Description

The church was originally of a simple rectangular plan of the Roman basilica type, the nave being separated from the side aisles by rows of sturdy Doric columns of simple square pedestals. In the 1870’s the church was enlarged by the extension of the nave and the addition of the semi-circular apse and the transepts. A handsome octagonal belfry with a bell-shaped roof was placed at the apex of the apse. There are four tall, semicircular head windows on each side of the building with two more similar ones in each transept. Their double hung sashes are divided into small lights and filled with colored glass, forming a cross in each window. In the apse are two additional windows filled with stained glass from a Cincinnati manufactory. The front of the church is divided into three bays by projecting pilasters, reflecting the interior division of nave and side aisles. In each bay is a tall, semi-circular headed entrance door, recessed in an enframement of Romanesque type mouldings which were added when the facade was remodeled in the 1920’s or 30’s. The facade is crowned by a tall square steeple with a tapered spire. The steeple has lost its original mouldings and the central bay of the facade has been extended up through the former pediment to form an apparent square base for the steeple These exterior alterations are largely superficial and old photographs show its original appearance to which it could be easily restored.

Open to Public? Yes

Other Info Open daily except Friday morning

Source:

•  1896 in Le Petit Paris: Turning the Century in Southwest Louisiana by Lawrence F.M. Capuder, Sr.
• “A Walking Tour of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church Square” by the Landscape Committee of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, 1989

Adrien Dumatrait House

Address 122 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70582

Year Built c. 1840

Building History

Built ca. 1840 for Adrien Michel Lambert Dumatrait from Paris, France, lawyer and powerful regional political figure, Dumatrait was at one time Mayor, President of the Police Jury and Head of the Margunners (Catholic Church Council) of the Attakapas and the Opelousas. This building was his residence with the lower floor converted to commercial use ca. 1910. The upper gallery is Greek Revival with central front door, transom and side lights.

Building Description

Commercial on lower floor/residence above. Wood frame, two-story structure with galleries. Cast-iron columns on lower level with original paneled shop front. Upper gallery is Greek Revival with central front door with transom and side lights. Windows have simple pediments. Exposed gable end with weather siding and louvered shuttered windows on both floors.

Open to Public? Currently closed for renovations

Other Info Future home of Maison de Tours II. Owner: Dale Mouton. Tel: (337) 380-5677 or (337) 394-4844. email: [email protected] website: www.maisondetours.com

Address 128 & 130 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70582

Year Built: ca. 1855

Building History

Built by Robert Benson ca. 1855 on the site of Greig’s Hotel which had been operated by William Greig from ca. 1807 until his death in 1842. Architecture features double chimney and gabled parapet and the original turned Sheraton style wood columns remain on part of the upper gallery along with original wood railing. Benson was from Boston and is credited with the architecture of several buildings in St. Martinville.

Building Description

Pair of two-story, four-bay brick buildings. Originally built for business on lower floor and residence on upper. Double chimney and gabled parapet.Turned Sheraton style wood columns on upper gallery. Wood railings replaced with cast-iron. Ground floor facade recently reworked.

Open to Public? By appointment

Other Info 128 S. Main St., Maison de Tours. Reception venue. Owner: Dale Mouton. Tel: (337) 380-5677 or (337) 394-4844. email: [email protected] website: www.maisondetours.com

130 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70582 (Private Residence)

Maison de Tours

Frank Foti Building

Presbetere

Address 133 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70852

Year Built 1856

Building History

Designed and built by Robert B. Benson in 1856, tradition has it that it was built in such a grand style in hopes that St. Martinville would be designated as the seat of a new diocese and this would be the bishop’s home. The building now holds the offices of the church parish and the priest’s living quarters.

Building Description

Attributed to Robert Benson. Two-story frame building. Heavily fluted wood columns added circa 1925, replacing a facade identical to that remaining on rear of building. Plate glass windows and 1970 aluminum siding, but retains much of the appearance of an 1850’s building.

Open to Public? No

Other Info Church Parish Offices

Source: “A Walking Tour of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church Square” by the Landscape Committee of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, 1989

Address 207 E. Bridge St., St. Martinville, LA

Year Built ca. 1900

Building History

Two-story frame building with Eastlake columns on upper gallery, built ca. 1900.

Open to Public? Yes

Other Info C. S. Danna’s Bakery (337)394-8465 Open Tues.-Sat 5:30am-5:00pm; Sun 5:30am-12pm.

Address 140 & 138 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA

Year Built 1875

Representative Men

Martial Bienvenu, father-in-law to L.C. Vautier and to Alexis Voorhies, operated the considerable livery, where he would care for and feed horses, on the northwest corner of South Main and Port Streets on the town square. This livery is on the current site of the Dupois/Robichaux Pharmacy and the Teche Theater.

Open to Public? Yes

Other Info Dupois Natural Health, Inc.: 140 S. Main St.; Teche Theater: 138 S. Main St.

Source: 1896 in Le Petit Paris: Turning the Century in Southwest Louisiana by Lawrence F.M. Capuder, Sr. (pgs. 80-81)

Teche Theater

Dupois Natural Health

Address 225 E. Bridge St.

Year Built ca. 1830

Building History

Ca. 1830, frame residence. Basic form, fenestration pattern, detailing of ca. 1830 house remain. Heavy bungalow style fron porch, columns, and dormer added ca. 1930.

Building Description Basic form, fenestration pattern, detailing of c.1830 house remain. Heavy bungalow style front porch, columns, and dormer added c.1930.

Open to Public? No

Other Info Original building fire damaged ca. 2006 & demolished

Address 102 Main St., St. Martinville, LA 70582

Year Built 1892

Building History

L.J. Gardemal built his house, with its unusual onion-shaped tin dome, prior to 1892. This home has a predominant location and unusual architecture. Most townpersons would probably know it as the Gary House, based on its long-time residents, the Gary family. Some day, this fine home would make a great bed and breakfast hotel.

Queen Anne Revival residence of 1 1/2 stories with Eastlake columns on raised curving gallery. An outstanding feature of this home is the octaganal side turret surmounted by a pressed tin onion dome.

Building Description

Queen Anne Revival residence. One-and one-half stories with Eastlake columns on raised curving gallery. Octagonal side turret with flared hinged skirting at the tip and surmounted by pressed tin onion dome.

Open to Public? No

Other Info Private residence

Source: 1896 in Le Petit Paris: Turning the Century in Southwest Louisiana by Lawrence F.M. Capuder, Sr.

J.B. Ferran Building

Address 101 E. Bridge St, St. Martinville, LA 70582

Year Built 1899

Building History

J.B. Ferran built his store at Bridge and Main around the turn of the century…either shortly before or shortly after. It has been a long series of various establishments. The latest is the beautifully restored Maison de Ville Restaurant, a trendy eatery and pub. The upstairs is a banquet facility, turned occassionally to a cozy dinner theater. Built in 1899 by J.B. Ferran to operate as a dry-goods store and grocery store on the lower level and his residence above, Ferran demolished an older building for this construction. The post office was moved to this building in January 1917 and remained here until moved to La Maison Duchamp in 1939.

Representative Men

J.B. Ferran was a native of “La belle France,” he came to St. Martiville and first engaged in agricultural pursuit, but his mind being bent on a commercial life, he opened up a small store, with a capital of only a few hundred dollars. Success followed his efforts, and he owned a large grocery and liquor store, one of the largest and best stocked dry goods store, and a general furniture store. Though his three stores consumed much of his time he still found a few moments to attend the meetings of the Board of Trade, as well as of the Catholic Knights of American, of which he was a valued member. Enterprising and energetic, Mr. Ferran was a member of the Carnival Association and always took much interest in its pageants.

Open to Public? No

Other Info Cousin’s Restaurant and Alligator Bar, now closed

Source: 1896 in Le Petit Paris: Turning the Century in Southwest Louisiana by Lawrence F.M. Capuder, Sr.

Address 136 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA

Year Built ca. 1875

Building History

Ca. 1875. Two story brick galleried commercial building with residence above and commercial venture on lower floor. Square gallery posts and handsome French doors remain. Cast iron rail salvage and reused from Federal remodeling of La Maison Duchamp to U.S. Post Office in 1936.

Open to Public? Yes

Other Info Precious Pets Grooming Salon