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DEDEAUX
On State Highway 603 turn right at the sign ROCKY HILL-DEDEAUX and go 6 miles on this asphalt road to the community of Dedeaux.
The community (1992) consist of homes and farm land belonging mostly to the families of Ladner, Dedeaux, Necaise and Cuevas. The public sector consist of a Dedeaux Community Store, the old abandoned public school and cafeteria which now are Dedeaux Cursillo Center, and the Sacred Heart Catholic church and rectory.
In 1798 Don Jose Vidal from Natchez petitioned the Spanish governor for a grant of land that he might remove to Spanish territory; hence the name of Yidalia for this territory.*
On Sept 6, 1880 the U. S. Government granted to Chery (sometimes spelled Cheri,Sheri, Sherie) Dedeaux, l6l acres and on Sept. 5i 1883 to Chevalier (Chery’s father) another l6l acres; hence the latter name for the community. **
In 1896 Father R. J. Sorin became pastor of De Lisle and it's mission (Vidalia) and was the first Catholic priest to serve this com-munity. November 19, 1898 Cheri Dedeaux and wife, Celestine deeded to Father Thomas Heslin a meet and bounds description in Section 24, Township 6, Range 14 West, for use as a church. **** In 1907 Father Sorin had the small St. Lucy chapel originally built at Cuevas (Pineville) moved to Vidalia. The church was rebuilt in 1916. In the early 1920's Father A. C. Denis, pastor of the Kiln parish assumed responsibility for the Vidalia mission. April 25, 1926 Bishop Gerow dedicated the present church, Sacred Heart. In 1939 the church was transferred to the care of Father Francis Waters at Lizana. From 1939 to 1967 the mission was served by priest from the Lizana church, notably Father Michael Fox whose memorial stands at the side of the church today.
Sacred Heart, Parish was established June 1, 1967. Father William Vollor, the pastor, lived in a small room off the sanctuary until the present rectory was built, 1968. The church was damaged by hurricane Camille in 1969» was repaired and renovated 1983-6.***
On September 2, 1918 the Dedeaux Consolidated Line School opened its door with 160 pupils. The school, located just north of Vidalia, Miss, embraced 3 districts in Hancock County and one in Harrison. (The Hancock-Harrison County line runs cat-a-corner through the building).