In obedience to God, Riverlands Christian Center Church was established in 1988 by Pastor Steven and Rita Perrilloux in Reserve, Louisiana.

Historic Riverlands story began when the Arch Diocese of New Orleans donated the original Our Lady of Grace Church building to their congregation in 1991. There was one stipulation, that the building must be moved off its present location on the River Road within two months’ time. This historic church building was targeted for demolition but was saved by this move to its current location, on the grounds of the former Cornland Plantation.

 

Our Lady Church building was built in 1936 specifically for African Americans. Before the building’s construction, African American Catholics in this area were only given seating in the rear pews at the segregated St. Peter’s Catholic Church. With the construction of this new church building, African American parishioners could fully participate in church rituals to practice their faith. This new structure also became a gathering place in the community for various political, and social events and concerns of the parishioners. For example, church member Edward Hall who represented the local NAACP met here with Attorney Thurgood Marshall during the fight to gain voting rights for African Americans.

 

With the aid of two house-moving companies, the historic building was carefully transported and was rededicated as Riverlands Christian Center by Apostle Frederick K.C. Price from Los Angeles, reaffirming its role as a vibrant, fully functioning church with regular Sunday Worship services, Bible Studies, Baptisms, and Weddings.

In 2005, our church building was honored by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a landmark along the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail because of local significance in the areas of religion, social history, and ethnic heritage. This National recognition and the leading of the Lord inspired us to create two historic tours and to dedicate our 4.5 acres of property to the enlightenment, empowerment, and education of man, thus the formation of Historic Riverlands.

 

About our Tours:

Our first tour, the Historic Church Tour, is set in the heart of Louisiana’s Plantation Country, and uniquely focuses on the lives of the formerly enslaved after their emancipation, picking up where the plantation tours end.

The Soul River Musical Journey tour celebrates the significant contributions of African Americans in music. These tours, launched in 2012, invite visitors to learn about the struggles, perseverance, joy, and achievements of our ancestors through their music.

 

About Little Leaders Learning Center:

A state-accredited preschool, established in 1997. St. Johns first 4-star rated preschool. Little Leaders serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, providing a safe, loving, and Christian environment that fosters growth and prepares them for their educational journey.

Still today as in the past Historic Riverlands is a gathering place in the community for various outreaches, seminars, Black History programs, concerts, plays educational movies, and indoor and outdoor events.  In November 2019, Artist Dread Scott utilized the church and grounds for recruitment meetings, costume fittings, and rehearsals for his nationally acclaimed 1811 Slave Rebellion Reenactment. which was the largest plantation uprising in U.S. History.