St. Michael Catholic Church is an eye-catching structure near the highway entering Biloxi. St. Michael has a varied reputation as the patron saint of everyone from the sick and suffering to grocers, police and paratroopers. Here, his namesake spiritual house is known as the Church of the Fishermen. Look carefully at the architecture and design to see how the fishing industry is represented.
The building consists of two round structures topped by scalloped roofs. Gaze up at the simple cross on the larger building and a statue of St. Michael with raised sword on the smaller section. The rolling roofline is meant to represent the curves of scallop shells.
Step into the unusual sanctuary. The large area is filled with rows of pews curved around the altar without any supporting pillars interrupting the space. Near the altar the floor is often decorated with a fishing net or model boats created by parishioners.
Study the wide panorama of stained-glass windows. Rather than depicting varied saints of the Catholic church, the series of 21 individuals represents fishermen with nets outstretched, gathering parishioners in the name of Christ. New lower sections of stained-glass windows were installed in 2010 after extensive damage when Hurricane Katrina sent a 30-foot (9-meter) wave of water into the church. These sections are now on pulleys so they can be lifted out of harm’s way in case of future storm surges.
Visit in early June, when Biloxi holds the Blessing of the Fleet and Shrimp Festival at the start of shrimping season. Along with holding a dedicated Mass, the church’s priest gives a blessing as a nautical procession of brightly decorated shrimp boats pass the Blessing Boat in the Mississippi Sound. The day’s events include coronation of a shrimp king and queen and a fais do-do, a public dance popular in Cajun culture.
Find St. Michael Catholic Church at the western end of the Biloxi Bay Bridge. The church offers Mass services every day but Monday. Donations are very welcome. While in the area, stop at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum just a block away.
