Toward the end of 1872, Bishop Auguste Martin assigned Father Joseph Achille Aubree as the resident pastor of Many. Interestingly, Father Aubree had been ordained only two years earlier in 1870. Father Aubree not only served Many as pastor, but also extended his services over the entire parishes of Sabine, Vernon and part of Natchitoches Parish. He remained until his death on February 6, 1897. Father Aubree is remembered for organizing the first parochial class which he taught himself in one of the rooms in his rectory. He is buried in the St. John's cemetery.

Page 18.
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Source: The Story of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church
Many, Louisiana
by Shirley Rivers

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Sabine Parish was organized in 1843 and a place known as Baldwin's Store was chosen as the county seat. It was named Many in honor of Colonel Many, one of commanders of nearby Fort Jessup, old army post. Many Hollanders and Flemish Belgians were among the settlers of this section. Probably the first Catholic settler was Peter F. Buvens, who came from Belgium in 1837 and settled on land adjoining the present town of Many. Among other early Catholic settlers were John Baptist Buvens, John Baptist Davis, John Baptist Vandegaer, Dan Vandegaer, J. T. Lunt, the A. Clanan family, all Belgian immigrants. Nothing can be said of the manner in which the early Catholic settlers of Many were administered the consolations of religion.

There was a small Catholic church on Bayou Cie, Las Cabezas, about 20 miles from the present town of Many, built about 1795, and followed by another church known as Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. These old churches have passed into history, having been succeed by the present church of St. Joseph at Zwolle, St. Michael at Leesville (Vernon Parish), another church at Robeline and one at Spanish Lake, places which were formerly served from Many, but only Leesville is attached to Many. It was in 1865 that the first Catholic priest came to Many and its environs. He was sent from the Cathedral of Natchitoches and came to Many three or four times each year. He was Father Louis Le Vezouet, a French priest. He said his first Mass at Many in the home of John Baptist Vandegaer in 1865 and continued his visits until 1870. He was one of the heroes of the yellow fever epidemic of Shreveport in 1873. (27)
Towards the end of 1870, Father A. Aubree was assigned by Bishop Martin as the first resident pastor of Many, extending his services over the entire parishes of Sabine and Vernon and parts of Natchitoches parish. Early in 1871, the first church was started, a frame building, 30 by 60 feet, and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, in honor of the patron of the original settlers and leading Catholics of this community and principally interested in building this first church, John B. Buvens, John B. Davis and John B. Vandegaer. Father Aubree served as rector of Many until his death on February 6, 1897. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery, adjoining the church. Father A. Anseeuw succeeded in the pastorate. (28)
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(27) Rev. R. M. Maure, Many, La.,
Parish Notes.
(28) Ibid.
The Catholic Church in Louisiana.
By
ROGER BAUDIER
NEW ORLEANS
1939
G
La
282.763
B338c