On Saturday, October 25 th , Charles Jagneaux and the St Landry Parish Clerk Of
Court Office will be hosting the Lemelle Heritage Celebration in Honor of Pope Leo XIV
and his direct family connections to St Landry Parish. Born Robert Francis Prevost in
Chicago in 1955, he was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, becoming the first
American pope in history. The new pontiff is not only the first American pope; he is the
first Creole pope, with heritage spanning St Landry Parish and New Orleans. In
recognition of his lineage and the historical impact they have had on the Parish of St
Landry, the clerk’s office is hosting a program featuring guest speakers Larry J Caillier II
(St. Landry Parish Archivist) focusing on the Lemelle family and their land ownership
along Bayou Courtableau, and Local Historian and Genealogist, Ms. Marie Marcel
expanding the record on the St Landry Parish Genealogical connections and Lemelle
family tree. Special guest performer Morgan Lemelle and the Zydeco Playmakers will
be the featured performers. The Event begins at 10:00am and ends at 3:00pm at the
newly opened Charles Jagneaux Elections and Archive Center located at 306 W Landry
Street in Opelousas Louisiana.
