Photograph: Rev. Father Charles Beauchamp (C. B.) Anderson – c.1915.
Carola Lillie Hartley
Publisher and Contributing Writer
Opelousas, one of the oldest Louisiana’s towns, has so many great stories to tell. One of those is about a young man who lived in the town over a century ago. He lived a special life and was the first citizen of Opelousas to become a Catholic Priest.
Born on May 14, 1880, Charles Beauchamp Anderson was the son of Thomas Miller Anderson and Cora Marguerite Bloomfield. Miller, as his father was known, was the son of Senator T. C. Anderson, his mother Cora the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. Bloomfield of New Orleans. Miller and Cora were married in New Orleans, LA on January 26, 1876. The couple settled in Opelousas where they raised their family.
C. B. , as he was called, received his education in the local Opelousas schools. Following his high school graduation, he worked as a salesclerk. In 1900 he is listed in census records as being a salesman of groceries at a store in Opelousas.
C. B. was a very popular young man of Opelousas when he worked for Opelousas Mercantile Company for several years. He was involved in the business community, but also worked as a volunteer on many of the projects, events and activities taking place in and around Opelousas during those times.
On Thursday, October 1, 1908, Anderson left Opelousas to begin his studies at the seminary in New Orleans, for the Diocese of New Orleans. After one year of study there, he went to the seminary in Covington to complete his studies.
Charles Beauchamp Anderson was ordained a priest by Archbishop Blenk in New Orleans on Thursday, June 3, 1915. A large group of family members and friends from throughout the state were in the crowd to witness his ordination. He was the first from Opelousas to become a priest, but not the first from the parish of St. Landry. That honor belongs to Rev. Henry Stagg, a native of Whiteville, LA.
Father Anderson celebrated his first Mass on Sunday, June 6, 1915 in the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, where he was a devoted church member for many years. The Mass was an eventful one for Catholics in the parish who packed the church to witness the impressive ceremonies. Many of his friends, including members of the Jewish faith and Protestants as well as Catholics attended that Mass.
Following the celebration of his first mass, Father Anderson spent about three weeks in his hometown of Opelousas, assisting church pastor Father John Engberink with duties at the church.
After his stay in Opelousas, Father Anderson was sent to New Orleans to serve the Catholics in that city. He eventually became the Pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Father Anderson died on April 17, 1958, in New Orleans. He is buried in St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery in Opelousas.
