Why New City Would Be Named ‘St. George’

The Cross of St. George first flew over Baton Rouge when the British established the Colony of West Florida here shortly after 1763.  By 1766, the British had a functioning elected Assembly, which met in Baton Rouge.  In the late 1700’s, St. Joseph was established as the first church in Baton Rouge.  But the second Catholic congregation was St. George.  It continues to this day, as does the St. George Fire District, which spans the southern and southeastern parts of the parish.  Because of this history, Norman Browning said his group favors calling the new city St. George.