New historical marker coming to Louisiana community of Henry

HENRY, La. (AP) — A historical marker is planned for the Louisiana community of Henry.

It will be installed Dec. 29 in front of land where Henry High School stood from 1896 until 2009, the Acadian Museum of Erath said in a news release.

Henry High was the first accredited high school in Vermilion Parish.

The marker’s front describes the history of the community and the school, which celebrated its centennial in 1996. Hurricane damage forced the school’s demolition in 2009.

The back describes the history of the Catholic Church in Henry, from its establishment in 1895 to its restoration after Hurricane Rita in 2005.

The church was built in the neighboring community of Bancker, as Our Lady of Prompt Succor. But in 1939, the church and rectory were dismantled and then rebuilt in Henry and renamed St. John the Evangelist.

After Hurricane Rita, more than $1 million was donated to restore the church and raise it 9 feet, 3 inches (2.8 meters) to protect it from future floods. There are now stairs, a walkway and an elevator by which people can reach the church door.