Diocesan House of the Diocese of Western Louisiana is situated in the former parish hall of the historic Mt. Olivet Chapel in Pineville, LA. Built in 1858 and consecrated on June 29, 1859, Mt. Olivet was originally a mission of St. James, Alexandria. The picturesque and perfectly proportioned chapel, of Gothic Revival style, was designed by the famous ecclesiastical architect, Richard Upjohn, who also designed Trinity Church, New York City.
The
Chapel was built in an existing cemetery since tombstones date as early
as 1824. The structure, except for its oak floor, is entirely of pinewood,
milled from local trees. The parish hall was constructed in 1946, as booming
growth in the Mt. Olivet congregation followed the end of World War II.
By 1966, the congregation had outgrown the chapel and parish hall. Reluctantly,
the move was made to a new
church home, St. Michael’s in Pineville.
The
Rt. Rev. Willis R. Henton, first bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana,
restored the chapel and parish hall, making Mt. Olivet the Bishop’s chapel
and Diocesan Center. “I very much believe in preserving history,” said
Bishop Henton. “You’ve got to touch base with your history or you’re not
going to plan wisely for
the future -- or understand the present.” Mt. Olivet Chapel and the Diocesan
Center, stand as visible links to the early roots of the Episcopal Church
in Louisiana, a tri-
bute to the spiritual journeys of the past. The entire site is about to
undergo a
complete renovation and restoration.
The Diocesan
Staff
The
Rev'd Canon Larry G. Wilkes
Canon to the Ordinary
As Canon to the Ordinary, Canon Wilkes is
responsible for:
• Clergy deployment
• Congregational development
• He represents the Bishop on the Hardtner Camp
and Conference Center Board of Trustees, the Episcopal
School of Acadiana, Cade Board of Directors, The Open
Door, in Lake Charles, and chairs the Mission Department
of the Diocesan Council
Dianne
White
Assistant to
Bishop MacPherson
and Registrar of the Diocese
As
registrar, Ms. White is responsible for recording the Bishop's official
acts; letters dismissory; maintenance of the official records of clergy
of the diocese; postulants and candidates for Holy Orders.
Contact Ms. White in regards to:
•Matters pertaining to the records and administration of the
Commission on Ministry
•The mailing list of the diocesan newspaper, ALIVE!
•The Diocesan Intercessor list
•The issuance of lay licenses
•Background checks required by parishes
•The upkeep of files on clergy, parishes and missions, aspirants,
postulants and candidates for Holy Orders
•Administration and records-keeping of Diocesan Convention
•Information packets for clergy new to the diocese
•The Diocesan Calendar
LadyDiWhi@aol.com
Kathy
Richey
Missioner for Administration and Finance
Contact Ms. Richey in regards to:
•Diocesan Accounts Payable and Receivable
•Diocesan financial matters including deposits, payroll, taxes,
bank balances, pension matters and funds held in trust for the diocese
•Pledges, diocesan budgets and deposits
•Matters pertaining to insurance
•Parochial reports
LadyRichey@aol.com
Robert
Harwell
Communications officer
of the Diocese.
In that capacity he is responsible
for the production of the diocesan newspaper, ALIVE!, and for the maintenance
of the diocesan Web site.
You may reach Robert Harwell at: E-mail: robertharwell@centurytel.net,
318-868-2303, or fax: 318-869-2071.
Maryse Harwell assists with the input of materials in the newspaper
and on the Web site. She also proofs materials for both.