Church Point, Louisiana

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Church Point is a town in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,756 at the 2000 census.

1 History
2 Politics and Government
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Employment
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

In the late 1700s, French settlers created clearings by burning the underbrush, creating what they called a "Brulee." One of these clearings was created on the banks of Bayou Plaquemine, near where the bayou came to a point. This new clearing became known as Plaquemine Brulee in 1843 when Etienne D'Aigle III, a descendant of French Canadian immigrants, became the first settler in the area, which at that time was in the middle of Opelousas Parish (later St. Landry Parish), which stretched from the Atchafalaya River to the Sabine River.^[1]

Plaquemine Brulee was considered part of the frontier for the next several decades, as there were no railroads and the swampy terrain made overland travel difficult. Early pioneers to the area requested land grants along the bayou only large enough to satisfy their families' immediate needs. Many families raised cattle, which roamed freely on the open range of the prairie.^[1] As more families were attracted to the area, Jesuit missionaries filled their spiritual needs by establishing a chapel in 1848 on land donated by the Daigle brothers. The church was known as "La Chapelle de la point de Plaquemine Brulee" (in English, "the church at the point of Bayou Plaquemine").^[2] The English term was later shortened to "Church Point" to refer to the area in general, and was translated back into French as "La Pointe de l'Eglise/."^[2]^[1]

The town's first school was established in 1856, providing encouragement for the community to grow further. The first Post Office, for the town of "Church Point," was established in the area on September 29, 1873, marking the settlement's first official recognization as a community. Thirteen years later residents of the town voted with those of surrounding communities to form a new parish, known as Acadia Parish.^[1]

Since 1981, the Acadia St. Landry Medical Foundation, which supports the Acadia St. Landry Hospital, has organized an annual Buggy Festival, held in Church Point on the first weekend in June. The town was chosen because residents had used buggies as their main means of transportation until the early 1950s, earning Church Point the nickname "Buggy Capital of the world" in 1927.^[1] In its first twenty-five years, the festival earned over $440,000 in profits, which were distributed among the hospital, the parks department of the city of Church Point, and various civic organizations. Two scholarships are also awarded annually.^[3] The festival, which includes a Sunday parade, gives visitors the opportunity to explore various horse-drawn vehicles. Cajun musicians perform throughout the weekend, while Cajun cuisine is featured. The festival also often includes a French speaking contest and a Cajun French accordion contest.^[2]

In 1987 Church Point established a relationship with Church Point, Nova Scotia, bringing about a revival of interest in its French culture.^[1] The town now proudly calls itself the "Cajun Music Capital of the World," based on "having the greatest number of professional Cajun musicians of any place on earth."^[2] A different Cajun musician is honored each year on Cajun Day, the second Sunday in November.^[2]

[edit] Politics and Government

Church Point is organized under the Louisiana Lawrason Act and is governed by an elected mayor and five members of the Board of Alderman. These officials are responsible for implementing and carrying out laws for the advancement of interest, welfare, health, comfort, safety, and convenience of the community and its citizens. Elections are held every four years, with candidates taking office on the first day of July following the election and remaining in power for the next four years.^[4]

[edit] Geography

Church Point is located at 30°24′17″N, 92°13′1″W (30.404592, -92.216893)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.1 km² (2.8 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,756 people, 1,720 households, and 1,202 families residing in the town. The population density was 667.7/km² (1,726.5/mi²). There were 1,863 housing units at an average density of 261.6/km² (676.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 67.47% White, 31.54% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.

There were 1,720 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,365, and the median income for a family was $27,037. Males had a median income of $26,563 versus $15,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,176. About 28.9% of families and 30.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 37.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Employment

As Interstate 10 and Interstate 49 are less than fifteen miles from town, many of the people who live in Church Point work in larger surrounding communities. Many of those who work in the area are farmers, growing rice, soybeans, corm, milo, sugarcane or crawfish. The largest private employer in the area is Church Point Wholesale Grocery.^[2]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f History of Church Point. Acadia Parish Tourist Commission (2007). Retrieved on March 19, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Church Point. Lousiana State University - Eunice. Retrieved on March 19, 2007.
^ Church Point Buggy Festival. The Church Point Buggy Festival (2007). Retrieved on March 19, 2007.
^ Guillot, Jerry (February 2004). The Lawrason Act. Church Point, Louisiana. Retrieved on March 19, 2007.