About us
Acadian Religious Books & Gifts
Back in 1954, there was a newly married couple that was transplanted from Chelsea, Massachusetts. Their names were Art and Marie Garrett. Art had just retired from playing minor league baseball with the Lake Charles Lakers. He began a short career with a national jewelry chain, where he remained for just over 8 years. An opportunity presented itself to purchase a little Catholic shop in the newly developed South College Shopping Center on Johnston Street called Acadian Rosaries.
The Garretts saw a need to further expand their inventory. They acquired the store next to them and increased the square footage from 800 to 1600 square feet. This increase in space allowed for a larger selection of bibles, rosaries, patron saint medals, wall crucifixes, prayer books, and other articles of Catholic devotion.
Art and Marie were originally members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Their four children were educated at Our Lady of Fatima School and High School. In 1975, the family moved to the newly built St. Mary Mother of the Church. Here, they became very involved in CCD, Altar Society, and Ministers of Communion. Marriages and baptisms for multiple generations took place at St. Mary. Art and Marie have been very much part of the Catholic culture in Acadiana. After Art passed away, his eldest son, Art Garrett III, joined the business. Art had over 14 years of previous retailing experience.