Sharing Our Rich Cultural History

  In 1864, a church was built of logs cut and hewn by local residents. The hand wrought cross is still attached to the new church at the sacristy entrance. Due to a growing membership, the log church was replaced by a “larger box church” in 1880. St. Dominic went through several church buildings until the present brick church was dedicated in 1958. In 1908, the Diocese of Baton Rouge was formed, and St. Dominic was attached to Mater Dolorosa as a mission church. 

  The people of Mater Dolorosa were first served by Father Columban Wenzel, O.S.B., one of the pioneers among the Benedictine monks in southeast Louisiana, who traveled from his ministry at St. Joseph in Ponchatoula.  Built in 1908 by our Sicilian and Italian immigrant ancestors, this architecturally unique building served as their church Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, the center point of their lives for generations.  The church was a small frame structure, which had to be enlarged twice because of the rapid growth of the congregation, especially the new Italian immigrants from the island of Sicily. 

The Independence Italian Cultural Museum was founded in 1981. Mr. Harry Becnel, a professor at Southeastern Louisiana University was a co-founder with Victoria "Baby Ann" Candiotto, an educator of forty years.   Now, this historically significant building serves as historic museum. Within its masonry walls, this lovely museum contains information about local family history. On display are old photographs and artifacts, which capture memories of religious celebrations and special milestones which defined the lives of the faithful of Independence and surrounding areas.

The bricks that were used to build the museum were formed here in Independence. A local contractor gathered the materials needed from the nearby Tangipahoa river and formed into molds. There are a handful of buildings in town that were also built using the same molds and materials. A unique feature indeed!

The museum's leadership is made up of Mr. Donnie Orlando, President; Loretta Joiner, Vice President; Larry Calmes, Treasurer; Rosetta Hughes, Correspondence Secretary; Gwen Durham, Recording Secretary; and Thomas Levatino, Advisory Board. 

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Exhibits in the museum showcase family memorabilia such as photos, newspaper articles and documentation that features major milestones in the lives of the families in our community. There is a military section, weddings and baptisms, music, agriculture, medical, and much more.