Shreveport, La. – Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a historic parish dating to 1896, revealed ambitious plans to expand its downtown campus during a Sunday Mass and reception on Thursday. The church launched its capital campaign, “Faith, Fellowship and the Five,” with a $5.5 million fundraising goal; $3.6 million has already been pledged.
Phase One: Restoring the Historic Sanctuary
Father Duane Trombetta explained that the first phase, now nearly complete, focused on restoring the historic church building. Over more than a century the structure suffered water seepage and deteriorating plaster. The parish has finished major exterior weather‑proofing and interior work, including fresh paint, repaired scrollwork and other delicate details.
Phase Two: New Parish Hall, Pilgrim Center and Parking
The next phase will add a new parish hall and a pilgrim and visitors center, as well as additional parking to accommodate growing attendance. Renderings show a new parking lot on the former Trailways bus station site and a new building replacing an existing lot adjacent to the church. Construction is slated to begin within the next two years, with completion targeted for 2030.
Honoring Shreveport’s Catholic Heritage
Beyond expanding space for parish activities, the project will highlight five priests who ministered during the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. Father Trombetta noted that these priests have been promoted for canonization and may someday be recognized as saints. The proposed pilgrim center will welcome visitors seeking to learn about their lives of faith, offering a place to pray, worship and contemplate the Lord Jesus.
Community Support and Civic Pride
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux praised the initiative, calling it “the right track” and thanking the parish for its investment in downtown. The expansion is expected to draw more visitors to the city’s Catholic heritage and contribute to the revitalization of the downtown area.
Fundraising and Timeline
The campaign’s baseline goal of $5.5 million reflects the cost of construction, furnishings and ongoing maintenance. With $3.6 million already secured, the parish is confident it can meet its target and move forward with groundbreaking in the near future. The church hopes the expanded facilities will strengthen the parish community while serving as a welcoming destination for pilgrims and downtown residents alike.
Holy Trinity’s expansion underscores the enduring role of faith‑based institutions in shaping Shreveport’s cultural and civic landscape, offering both spiritual nourishment and tangible economic benefits to the city’s historic core.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
