St. Mary’s Assumption Church In 1844, Fr. Joseph Kundek, a diocesan priest, constructed a frame church on Jo - sephine Street, named St. Mary’s Assump - tion. This church was the first Catholic Church erected for the Germans in Loui - siana. The cornerstone was laid in 1858 for the construction of the large German Baroque Revival structure, attributed to Albert Diettel, architect. The church was dedicated in 1860.