Henry Historical Society

On December 29, 2019 a new historical marker sponsored by the Henry Historical Society (HHS) was placed on Highway 330 in front of the property where the Henry High School was once located in the hamlet of Henry, Louisiana.

(Click here to view summary and photos of installation ceremony)

The steering committee for the project consisted of Chairman Ted Campbell, Joey Hebert, Brenda Moss Prejean, Margaret Menard Denais, Sid Lange, Natial Perrin d’Augereau and Warren Perrin.

On one side, the marker displays the history of the Catholic Church of Henry and on the other side, the history of Henry High School, which was established in 1877.

Henry High School was the first high school in Vermilion Parish and graduated its first student, J. H. Williams, in 1900. Mr. Williams returned to Henry High School as principal and later became Superintendent of Vermilion Parish Schools, serving for over 30 years. Hurricane damage forced the school’s demolition in 2009.

The church was first established in the neighboring community of Bancker and dedicated to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. In 1939, the church and rectory buildings were dismantled, relocated to Henry and renamed St. John the Evangelist. After Hurricane Rita, the community raised more than $1 million to restore the church while elevating it over 9 feet to protect it from future storms. The improvements included stairs, a walkway and an elevator by which people can reach the church door.

Ted Campbell, one of the principal organizers, stated: “We are asking the public for donations of money and photos. We will preserve and display archival materials and photos such as the photo shown below.” The donations can be sent to the Acadian Museum at PO Box 53597 Lafayette, Louisiana 70505 which will act as the fiscal agent for the HHS, a non-profit 501-C3 and provide an acknowledgement letter to all donors allowing the donors to claim a tax-exemption for the value of the donations.