In 1920, Archbishop John W. Shaw, Archbishop of New Orleans, established St. James Major Parish in the Gentilly area of city. It was in that decade the great depression of 1929 began and finally came to an end with the beginning of World War II. The Little Woods area of the eastern segment of New Orleans had long been a favorite place for campers, hunters, and outdoorsmen. Preserving its wooded area over the years, the area became a place of refuge from the city, a resort of the shores by the lake, and a home for a hard working sturdy class of people.
The priests of St. James Major would come to minister to the spiritual needs of those in the Little Woods community. In June of 1935, in the camp of Emmet and Edna Faust, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass was offered for the first time by a priest from St. James Major. Thus, was set into motion a series of events which ultimately led to the founding of St. Maria Goretti.
During August of 1935, families were permanently residing in the Little Woods Area. Funds were raised by the Corcoran and Wesner families, the sum of $500.00, for construction of the Mission Church. During World War II no money was raised for the Mission Church.
On June 24, 1950, during the Holy Year, in the presence of 500,000 people at St. Peter’s Square, Maria Goretti was proclaimed a saint, a "martyr for purity”. In attendance was the 84 year old mother of Maria Goretti, the only woman in history who lived to see her daughter canonized.
The monies previously raised for the mission had been turned over in 1935 to Fr. Sidney Skiffington, who was pastor of St. James Major at the time. He was assisted in his pastoral duties by Fr. (now-Msgr.) Vernon P. Aleman. With the cooperation of the priests , families again began to work very diligently toward getting a parish established.
On January 2, 1965, Archbishop Cody, then the Archbishop of New Orleans, established St. Maria Goretti as its own parish, and appointed Fr. Edward Gautheir as founding Pastor. The first Mass in the new parish was offered on January 3, 1965 by Fr. Gautheir. On January 6, 1965, Bernard Henry Ohler, a parishioner of the SMG, was the first to be given a Christian burial in the new parish. The first infant baptized in the newly established parish was Edgar Alan Burgess, Jr. on January 17, 1965. In that year sixty-two infants were baptized. In early February 1965 the Ladies' Altar Society was started and The Holy Name Society was also formed that year.
On June 1, 1968, Fr. L. Earl Gauthreaux , J.C.L., assumed the pastorate of St. Maria Goretti Church. At all the Masses, on Sunday June 2, 1968, Fr. Gauthreaux read his letter of appointment from Archbishop Hannan. His message to the people was that he came to build people first and then buildings. He immediately began to establish a Religious Education Board to form the young people of the parish in the faith.
With rapid growth in New Orleans East it was obvious that the Church of St. Maria Goretti must expand its facilities. The existing Church could only seat 325 people and classroom space became essential. Shortly after Father Gauthreaux became pastor he established the St. Maria Goretti Playground. Now under the direction of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD).
On December 18, 1973 at 4:00pm, Fr. Gauthreaux signed the contract for the construction of the new church at a cost of $636,000.00. After the contract had been signed, fill was moved onto the site. At about this same time construction was going on to improve Morrison Road and the development of the I-10 Hwy. The fill for the property was hauled to the site for free by Mr. Pierre Gaston. On the cold rainy day of December 20, 1973 the first pilings were driven, and the new church building was on the way to becoming a reality. Two years later, the new church was completed and Mass, for the first time, was offered at the new church on April 12, 1975 at 6:00pm. The new church, which seats 950 people in the nave, and the day chapel can accommodate an additional 50 people, sits at the corners of Morrison Road and Crowder Boulevard. The structure also contains the administrative offices and a meeting room.
The Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession to the new Church. The bells were pealing at both sites as the Lord and God of all moved again in their midst. It was by coincidence on that very date, April 12, 1975, Pope Paul VI named Fr. L. Earl Gauthreaux, J.C.L., an Honorary Prelate, with the title Monsignor.
On February 8, 2020, Msgr. Gauthreaux, died after a brief illness. He had served as pastor of St. Maria Goretti for 52 years. His funeral was held in the Church on February 15th. He was buried in Plaquemine, La on February 17th. Upon Msgr.’s death, Fr. Cyril Buyeera, then-parochial vicar, became administrator of the parish. On March 21, 2020, it was announced that Fr. Daniel H. Green, then pastor of Blessed Trinity, would be the new pastor of St. Maria Goretti. Fr. Daniel was installed as pastor on July 5, 2020 by Archbishop Aymond at the Twelve noon Mass.