Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Christian Church

Our Community

Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church is a community in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Diocese of Miami and the Southeast. As an Orthodox Christian Church we find ourselves deeply rooted to the ancient Christian faith and the practices of the early Christians. As a mission Church, we allow ourselves to continuously grow and learn about the real life in Christ while reaching out to the community around us.

Our community grew out of the efforts of faithful Orthodox Christians who desired to see an Orthodox Church in Lafayette, LA. Led by the experience and wisdom of Fr. John Badeen, a "retired" priest from Beaumont, TX. The community that would become Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church began to meet in various locations around town. The Divine Liturgy was served in restaurants, hotels, the homes of the faithful members of the Church, a gym, a Roman Catholic Monastery, and even an art gallery with an alligator statue right in the middle of the room.

Throughout this time of transition, Fr. John, along with the late Fr. Bernard West du Val, continued to work and inspire the parish to continously move forward in spite of the setbacks of mission life. The faithful continued to pray and wait for the right moment when the Lord would provide a permanent location for His flock in Lafayette.

After years of faithful service, the Lord provided just the location for the current needs of the community. Just after Pascha in 2004, the community moved into our current building and began the process of stabilizing the presence of the Orthodox Church in Lafayette, LA.

In May of 2007, after years of faithful service to Christ's Church, Fr. John Badeen was able to finally retire and pass on the pastoral leadership of the parish to another priest. In his stead, Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church welcomed her first full-time, local pastor in the persons of Fr. Philip and Kh. Kathryn Rogers.

Today, Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church is a growing community with people from all walks of life; many ethnic backgrounds, and all ages. This diverse group of people shares a whole-hearted love for Christ and a desire to see His glory and work accomplished in this area. The diversity of gifts that God has blessed our community with has allowed us to faithfully minister to our people through Sunday School programs, a local chapter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Louisiana Lafayette; a continuous food pantry open to all those in need, and inspiring fellowship that enables each person to grow in their life in Christ. As God provides the faithful, we will continue to reach out and minister in new and exciting ways.

In the words of Christ, "Come and See!" Come and worship with this local community of committed Christians who hold to the traditions of Christ and His Church! May God continue to bless our community as we struggle to faithfully shine the light of Christ where we have been planted!