By james art BATON ROUGE – After several meetings and hearing concerns from church officials, the Department of Transportation clarified at a town meeting Tuesday night that they will not build a ramp to St. Francis Xavier.
The church is located just below I-10. They will still move forward with the plan to add lanes to the interstate, but plan to explore other locations.
When the area next to the church was announced as an option for widening the interstate, it raised concerns among parishioners.
The Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier is the first African-American Catholic church in Baton Rouge and has over 100 years of history. Parishioners voiced their concerns to DOTD officials about how they want to preserve its history.
“Our parishioners are passionate about this church. We don’t want to lose this church. Like I said, that’s all we know. That’s all I know. I’ve been here all my life,” said the Parish Vice President of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Walter Williams said.
The area has seen what it’s like to have a building taken from you. In 1961, the St. Francis Xavier was demolished to make way for I-10. Parishioners say they don’t want history to repeat itself.
“My eighth grade year is the year they closed the high school and the interstate came. At one point we were told we wouldn’t have to sacrifice the school. But as you can see, the interstate is there, not the school,” said a member of St. Francis Xavier”, Jacqueline Turnipside.
Although DOTD said this project will not affect the church, members are still skeptical while others are hopeful.
“I don’t believe them. You say things but do something else. It’s been that way every time,” Turnipseed said.
“I think they’re actually listening and responding to what we’re saying,” Williams said.