Nativity Catholic Church, Campti: ca. 1720-1850
© Nativity Catholic Church
Two church centers developed in that area early in French colonial days - the Saint Francis Church at the French post and the Mission of Los Adayas with the chapel of Fort Saint John the Baptist. Colonists followed in the wake of the establishment of the French post on the Red River, and soon immigrants from France and discharged soldiers took up lands above and below the Natchitoches post, which became the center of civil and church activities in the upper Red River Valley.
French Capuchin missionaries were placed in charge of Saint Francis Church at Natchitoches, and Spanish Franciscan Friars directed the Mission of San Miguel at Los Adayas. Both of these groups ranged far and wide in central and northwestern Louisiana in the colonial days, ministering to the scattered Catholic settlers and to the Indian tribes. The latter were the special interests of the Spanish Friars from San Miguel. Father Maximin, the French Capuchin, was the pioneer French missionary of the Natchitoches area, beginning his labors in 1729. Father Pierre Vitry, the French Jesuit missionary, served Natchitoches and its environs from 1734 through 1738. those who served longer and did much for the surrounding communities in succeeding years were Father Barnabe, Father Eustache, and Father Valentin, all French Capuchins in the period between 1744 and 1762. Father Valentin was particularly zealous in visiting he growing settlements along the Red River.
One of these was the community of Campti, on the northern bank of the Red river, northwest of the Post of Natchitoches. Tradition has it, says the "Louisiana State Guide," that the town got its name from the chief of an Indian tribe which lived on a nearby hill. His name was "Campte," and as he was highly popular with the white settlers, the small colonial settlement of white people took its name from him.
The Spanish Capuchin and Franciscan missionaries who replaced the French Capuchins after Spain took over Louisiana in 1769 also regularly visited the offspring settlements of Natchitoches along the Red River, including Campti. Among these were Father Luis de Quintanilla, Father Frencesco de Caldas and Father Pedro de Vales.
