Lucas, Father Peter, West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1852 March 11

Since his return to his parish, things have been moving rapidly. As he said in his last letter, the floor of the church had almost entirely fallen in. For two weeks they have been working to repair it. Last Sunday Lucas said Mass in the school. When repairs on the church are finished, they will proceed to the enlargement of his house. At different times, they have wanted to build a church in the upper part of the parish but never carried out his plan. Lately, Lucas opened a subscription himself and in three days had enough to begin. On his second trip he contracted with a lumber dealer, workmen, and the plasterer. The church will be 40 by 30 feet. He likes to think that in 10 years it will be the church of a new parish, taking in Grosse-Tete which is a very short distance away. They have decided on the names of St. Peter and St. Paul. So everything is in a good way to receive Blanc's order for which Lucas will assume responsibility and furnish the receipt. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 8vo.