Diocesan
House of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana is situated in the former
parish hall of the historic Mount Olivet Chapel in Pineville, LA. Built in
1858 and consecrated on June 29, 1859, Mount Olivet was originally a mission
of the parish church St. James, Alexandria. The picturesque and perfectly
proportioned chapel, of Gothic Revival style, was designed by the famous ecclesiastical
architect, Richard Upjohn, who also designed Trinity Church, New York City.
The Chapel was built
in an existing cemetery where tombstones date as early as 1824. The structure,
except for its oak floor, is entirely of pinewood, milled from local trees.
The parish hall was constructed in 1946, as booming growth in the Mount Olivet
congregation followed the end of World War II. By 1966, the congregation had
outgrown the chapel and parish hall. Reluctantly, the move was made to a new
church home, St. Michael’s in Pineville.
The Rt. Rev'd Willis
R. Henton, first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, restored
the chapel and parish hall, making Mount Olivet the Bishop’s chapel and Diocesan
Center. “I very much believe in preserving history,” said Bishop Henton. “You’ve
got to touch base with your history or you’re not going to plan wisely for
the future -- or understand the present.”
In subsequent years the chapel experienced the ravages of age and fell into a great state of disrepair. The third bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev'd D. Bruce MacPherson, concerned with the preservation of this historic site, brought about the complete restoration of the chapel and renovation of Diocesan House. This endeavour has enabled both buildings to be accessible to all. Once again, Mount Olivet Chapel and Diocesan House, stand as visible links to the early roots of the Episcopal Church in Louisiana, a tribute to the spiritual journeys of the past.
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 Dianne
White Assistant to Bishop MacPherson Facilitates communication with the Bishop when he is away from the office; serves as registrar of the diocese; she is responsible for recording the Bishop's official acts; preparation and care of Letters Dimissory; maintenance of the official records of clergy in the diocese; oversees publication of diocesan directory and journals; and manages the records pertaining to postulants and candidates for Holy Orders.. Other matters handled by Ms. White include, but are not limited to: •communication with the Bishop's office; •appointments with the Bishop and matters related to his visitations; •coordination of the Bishop's calendar, and also the diocesan calendar; •official files on clergy and congregations; •assistance with deployment of clergy; •employment background checks; •licensing of individuals for licensed lay ministries; •matters pertaining to the work of the Commission on Ministry; •coordination of Diocesan convention delegates; •coordinator of Safeguarding God's Children program; •scheduling of clergy for the weekly service at Mount Olivet Chapel; •coordinating meetings at Diocesan House; • arrangements for use of the Bishop's Centre for Ministry; •maintenance of ALIVE! mailing list ladydiwhi@aol.com |
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Provides staff support and represents the Bishop in matters pertaining
to building operations, and diocesan financial and insurance business;
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Robert
Harwell •Responsible
for coordination of communication |
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Maryse
Harwell
Communications Assistant Provides staff support for the work of the communication office, including ALIVE! and the diocesan Web Site. She can be reached through the above contact information for the Communications Officer. |
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Patrick R. Higgins
The
Rev'd William G. McBride, Ph.D.
Canon
James D. Boyd, M.D.
Debbie
Slater
