Tucked away in the sleepy little town of St. Francisville, Grace Church is a must-see if you are in the area. The history behind the church is fascinating, the architecture is stunning, and the grounds are breathtaking.

You’ll find Grace Church in St. Francisville, nestled among several gorgeous ancient oak trees.

Angelle225/Trip Advisor This is one of the best kept secrets around—the grounds are simply breathtaking.

This historic Episcopal church was built in 1860, making it one of the oldest Protestant churches in the state.

Lesley P./Trip Advisor The Gothic Revival architecture is hauntingly beautiful.

You’ll be transported to another time when you step inside.

Grace Church/Facebook Look at this 1860s Pilcher Organ. Beautiful!

The present church was heavily damaged by Union gunboats during the Civil War in 1863. The damage took twenty years to repair, but the structure still holds strong today.

Grace Church/Facebook It’s location made it an easy target for warships.

Due to its position high on the bluff in St. Francisville, the church played an interesting roll during the Civil War, on “the Day the Way Stopped”

JLGlenn/Trip Advisor Civil War Lieutenant Commander John E. Hart was aboard the U.S.S. Albatross, delirious from fever. Before he could get the treatment he needed, he killed himself. Hart was a Mason, and his officers came ashore to see if there were any Masons in the area. The Union officers explained they wanted to bury Hart with Masonic Ceremonies, and as luck would have it, the oldest Masonic Lodge in the state—Feliciana Lodge No. 31— was located in St. Francisville. Their wishes were granted, and Union soldiers brought Hart’s coffin ashore and carried it to Grace Church, where he was buried with full Masonic honors.

There’s also a cemetery on the grounds where the graves date back to the 1700s.

LuvTravv/Trip Advisor Enjoy a quiet stroll around the church underneath canopies of live oaks and Spanish Moss while reading about the people that have been laid to rest.

You can find Grace Church at 11621 Ferdinand St POBox 28, Saint Francisville, Louisiana 70775.

Angelle225/Trip Advisor

This is one of the best kept secrets around—the grounds are simply breathtaking.

Lesley P./Trip Advisor

The Gothic Revival architecture is hauntingly beautiful.

Grace Church/Facebook

Look at this 1860s Pilcher Organ. Beautiful!

It’s location made it an easy target for warships.

JLGlenn/Trip Advisor

Civil War Lieutenant Commander John E. Hart was aboard the U.S.S. Albatross, delirious from fever. Before he could get the treatment he needed, he killed himself. Hart was a Mason, and his officers came ashore to see if there were any Masons in the area. The Union officers explained they wanted to bury Hart with Masonic Ceremonies, and as luck would have it, the oldest Masonic Lodge in the state—Feliciana Lodge No. 31— was located in St. Francisville. Their wishes were granted, and Union soldiers brought Hart’s coffin ashore and carried it to Grace Church, where he was buried with full Masonic honors.

LuvTravv/Trip Advisor

Enjoy a quiet stroll around the church underneath canopies of live oaks and Spanish Moss while reading about the people that have been laid to rest.

 

Have you ever been? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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