Cathedral of the Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, Mississippi
870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi
Established in 1843 for Service and Ministry to the Biloxi Community

 

Nativity Pastors

 

Under the leadership of the following pastors, Nativity Parish has prospered and grown:

1843-1846 Rev. G. Abbe
1846-1858 Rev. S. Guinand
1858-1867 Rev. Henry Georget
1868-1869 Rev. Van de Moere (Temporary)
1869-1890 Rev. P. Chavalier
1890-1897 Rev. F. Blanc
1897-1921 Rev. A. Keenan
1937-1942 Rt. Rev. Msgr. William J. Leech
1942-1967 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Geoffrey T. O'Connell, M.A., Ph.D, Litt.D.*
1967-1968 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Fullam
1968-1977 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Kevin Bambrick

A Decree of Establishment of the Diocese of Biloxi dated in Rome on March 1, 1977 created the second diocese in Mississippi. The formal establishement and Mass of Installation of the Most Reverend Joseph Lawson Howze, D.D., as first Bishop of Biloxi was held in this Cathedral on June 6, 1977. The new diocese encompasses 17 South Mississippi counties, 47 parishes, 20 schools and some 50,000 Catholics. Since its designation as a Cathedral parish, Nativity has had the following rectors:

1977-1980 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Kevin Banbrick
1980-1986 Rev. Joseph A. Dilettuso
1986-1998 Rt. Rev. Msgr. James M. Russell
1998-2010 Rev. Anthony Arguelles
2010- Rev. Msgr. John R. McGrath