Point Coupee, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Point Coupee is the name of an unincorporated community located in Pointe Coupee Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. It is the home of St. Francis Chapel. It is located along Louisiana Highway 420
, north of New Roads
.
with False River
. The area has since become known as New Roads, and is the source of the City of New Roads being named.
The St. Francis Chapel at the Point Coupee settlement was originally completed in 1728. A new church building was constructed in 1760, but built too close to the Mississippi River. Graves in the church's graveyard were consumed by the waters of the Mississippi. The church was taken down, and a smaller version was erected using materials from the previous church. This newer structure was dedicated in 1895. The church is known as the fourth oldest continuously operating Catholic church in Louisiana. St. Francis Chapel is now a mission church of St. Mary's of False River . The town of St. Francisville
is named for the St. Francis Chapel.
New Roads is the parish seat.
Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
Pointe Coupee Parish, pronounced "Pwent Koo-Pay" and , is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Roads. As of 2000, the population was 22,763....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the home of St. Francis Chapel. It is located along Louisiana Highway 420
Louisiana Highway 420
Louisiana Highway 420 is a state highway in Louisiana that serves Pointe Coupee Parish. It spans in a west to east direction. It is known locally as River Road and Pointe Coupee Road.-Route description:...
, north of New Roads
New Roads, Louisiana
New Roads is a city in and the parish seat of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The center of population of Louisiana is located in New Roads . The population was 4,996 at the 2000 census. The city's ZIP code is 70760...
.
History
The community was founded in the 1720s by French settlers. It is one of the oldest communities in the Mississippi Valley. It was originally called "Le Post de Pointe Coupee" (The Pointe Coupee Post). About 1776 a "chemin neuf" (new road) was built to connect the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
with False River
False River (Louisiana)
False River is an oxbow lake located in southeastern Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana centered at This lake was once the main channel of the Mississippi River in this area...
. The area has since become known as New Roads, and is the source of the City of New Roads being named.
The St. Francis Chapel at the Point Coupee settlement was originally completed in 1728. A new church building was constructed in 1760, but built too close to the Mississippi River. Graves in the church's graveyard were consumed by the waters of the Mississippi. The church was taken down, and a smaller version was erected using materials from the previous church. This newer structure was dedicated in 1895. The church is known as the fourth oldest continuously operating Catholic church in Louisiana. St. Francis Chapel is now a mission church of St. Mary's of False River . The town of St. Francisville
St. Francisville, Louisiana
St. Francisville is a town in and the parish seat of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,712 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
is named for the St. Francis Chapel.
New Roads is the parish seat.