19 Facts About Alexis Bachelot

Alexis Bachelot was raised in France, where he attended the Irish College in Paris, and was ordained a priest in 1820.

Alexis Bachelot led the first Catholic mission to Hawaii, arriving in 1827.

Alexis Bachelot then traveled to California, where he served as an assistant minister while pastoring and teaching.

Alexis Bachelot was freed only after the French and British navies imposed a naval blockade on the Honolulu harbor.

Alexis Bachelot studied at the Irish College in Paris before being ordained as a priest in 1820.

Alexis Bachelot was appointed the Prefect Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands, and in this role led the first permanent mission to Hawaii.

Alexis Bachelot was assisted in his new position by fellow priests Patrick Short and Abraham Armand, as well as several lay brothers.

Alexis Bachelot instructed La Comete's captain to take the mission with him when he departed.

Alexis Bachelot introduced two plant species to Hawaii: Prosopis humilis and Bougainvillea.

Alexis Bachelot had obtained the seeds, which were originally gathered by Catholic missionaries in California, from the Royal Conservatory in Paris.

Alexis Bachelot later became the pastor of a church in Los Angeles, served as an assistant minister for the mission, and led the mission on an interim basis after its priest was reassigned in 1834.

Alexis Bachelot taught in Los Angeles schools during a teacher shortage.

Alexis Bachelot ministered in California until 1837 and became popular with Angelenos.

Alexis Bachelot remained as the Prefect Apostolic for the northern division.

Alexis Bachelot was unable to locate Bachelot, who was absent from the area at the time.

The Ayuntamiento in Los Angeles, a municipal council, attempted to dissuade Alexis Bachelot and asked the Catholic leadership in Santa Barbara to prevent him from leaving, but he insisted on departing and the Catholic leadership did not prevent him.

That year, Alexis Bachelot, who suffered from a form of rheumatism, became very sick.

Alexis Bachelot purchased a ship and sailed toward Micronesia, intending to work on a mission.

Alexis Bachelot was buried on an islet off the coast of Pohnpei.