SAVE BADIN ROQUE CREOLE CONVENT

The time is NOW to SAVE a structure of great significance to Louisiana's Cane River Creoles and many stakeholders who preserve Louisiana history and heritage.

This structure, known today as the Badin-Roque House, is a rare example of French Colonial architecture - only a handful still exist in the United States.

For Creoles and historians, the structure represents early history on how Creoles educated their children. This structure, built by a Frenchman and purchased by the Founder of St. Augustine's Catholic Church, Nicolas Augustin Metoyer (1768-1856), was donated as the first Convent and later, Catholic school for children of parishioners. The Church and community of diverse multi-ethnic parishioners, is one of the first built by people of color in the United States.

This structure, dated as early as 1770s, is believed to be one of the oldest convents and Catholic schools for ethnically mixed people of the United States, who before the Civil War, were "free people of color" with sizable estates. The community founder was the son of a Frenchman and a former slave.

In September 2018, Louisiana’s National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the structure as ENDANGERED. Without action, it is subject to collapse – lost to future generations seeking to understand their history and heritage.

A preservation plan funded by a partnership grant completed an official assessment and outlines the costs (approx. $145,000) and actions needed to Save the Badin-Roque House. Funds raised for this project will be spent on the following repairs:

1. Stabilize roof with lateral ties, attic bracing

2. Replace treated pine post ends with sinker cypress

3. Siding replacement and painting

4. Replacement of porch columns

5. Replace gutters and add downspout to cistern

6. Prevent future damage with site grading to keep draining away from house

7. Add catch basin and storm drain to highway drain ditch


YOU are important to this project and MOST appreciated...

By the grace of God, we pray for your assistance in any way you can....
Here is what you can do...

PRAY THAT THIS FIRST CONVENT WILL BE SAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
To Share Fundraising Ideas and/or For More Information, 
Contact any of the Following Campaign Leaders:

* Tommy Roque, Vice President:  [phone redacted]  or  [email redacted]
* Anita Metoyer Evans:  [phone redacted]  or  anitaevans@cp-tel.net
* Dr. Rand Metoyer:  [phone redacted]  or  [email redacted]

***any funds in excess of the cost of needed immediate restoration, will be used for its long-term maintenance and the preservation mission of the SAHS***

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

THE SAINT AUGUSTINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (SAHS)
Dr. Mark Guidry
President
[email redacted]