Welsh Museum honors doctors, ministers
Published 10:48 am Monday, February 19, 2024
- A display featuring Monsignor Jules O. Daigle, longtime pastor of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Welsh and author of several Cajun books, is among the many exhibits at the Welsh Museum recognizing local religious leaders and area churches. The museum will host a special reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 honoring current and past ministers, doctors and pharmacists. (Doris Maricle / American Press)
The Welsh Museum is highlighting the men and women who have paved the way and healed the minds, bodies and souls of local residents for more than a century.
The museum is honoring the selfless service of current and past doctors, pharmacists and ministers during a “Those That Cared for Our Bodies and Souls” reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the museum, 202 East South St.
The event is part of the continuing celebration of the 135th anniversary of the signing of the town’s charter and the museum’s 30th anniversary.
“This is an important group of people who have meant so much to this town,” Museum President and former mayor Mayor Sue Lyon said. “These are the people who have taken care of us over the years.”
She said the town must have had hundreds of ministers alone serve over the years with just as many doctors and pharmacists who have served the town.
More than 100 invitations were sent out for the reception..
“We’ve tried to send invitations to families and descendants of those people who are no longer here, but we could not get everyone,” Lyon said.
Anyone who did not receive an invitation is invited to attend the event and be recognized.
Old photographs, artifacts and other memorabilia from area churches, doctor offices and pharmacies are featured in displays in special sections throughout the museum.
The museum began honoring special groups of people last year to mark its milestone. That has now turned into a three-year event, Lyon said.
“When we started out last year we picked certain groups that we wanted to honor, but there were just too many,” she said. “We realized we couldn’t get everyone honored in a year so we decided to spread it out over the next three years. It has been an overwhelming project for us but we have enjoyed it.”
Last year the museum honored current and former mayors, aldermen, town attorneys, police chiefs, fire chiefs, town clerks and other city employees.
Past and former museum founders, volunteers and board members were also recognized for their efforts to preserve the town’s heritage through the museum.
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The Welsh Museum is open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. No admission. For more information, contact Mary Sue Lyon at 337-370-9857.
