18 Facts About Anthony Durier

Anthony Durier was a French-born American prelate of the Catholic Church.

Anthony Durier served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Natchitoches in Louisianan from 1885 until his death in 1904.

Anthony Durier made his preparatory studies for the priesthood at the minor seminary in Saint-Jodard, France, before entering the major seminary of Saint-Irenee at Lyon, France, in 1853.

Anthony Durier departed from Le Havre in October 1855 and arrived in New Orleans in December 1855.

However, the diocesan seminary at Plattenville had burned to the ground earlier that year, and Anthony Durier was sent to Cincinnati to complete his theological studies at Mount St Mary's Seminary of the West.

Anthony Durier was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on October 28,1856, by Archbishop John Purcell in Cincinnati.

Anthony Durier remained in Ohio for a few months to better his knowledge of English, first serving as assistant pastor in Temperanceville and Chillicothe.

Anthony Durier briefly served as pastor of St Mary's Parish in Minerton, Ohio before returning to New Orleans in April 1857 to serve as assistant pastor at St Louis Cathedral.

In 1859, Anthony Durier was appointed pastor of the Church of the Annunciation Parish in New Orleans, where he remained for 25 years.

Anthony Durier guided the parish through the American Civil War, a yellow fever epidemic in 1878, and many floods.

Anthony Durier established a number of Catholic schools, including the first school for African-American children in the area.

On December 19,1884, Anthony Durier was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Natchitoches by Pope Leo XIII.

Anthony Durier received his episcopal consecration on March 19,1885, from Archbishop Leray, with Bishops John Neraz and Nicolaus Gallagher serving as co-consecrators, at St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

Anthony Durier invited several religious orders to the diocese, such as the Sisters of Divine Providence, Carmelites, and Jesuits, who established schools in Alexandria, Mansfield, and Shreveport, all in Louisiana.

Anthony Durier opened six schools for African-American children, with a total enrollment of more than 300 pupils in 1894.

Anthony Durier established seven new parishes and finished construction on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, which he consecrated in September 1892.

Anthony Durier died in Natchitoches on February 28,1904, at age 71.

Anthony Durier is buried in the cemetery of the Daughters of the Cross in Shreveport.