Photograph: James Genovese, Etha Amling and James Douget walk through the St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery as they prepare for the annual Cemetery Tour event. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A female medical field pioneer, Confederate soldiers, pioneer educators, Swamp Pop musicians and the legendary Jim Bowie are among the spirits whose memories will be recreated beginning Saturday evening during the two-weekend Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments at the St. Landry Parish Catholic Church Cemetery.
The annual event, which uses proceeds to help maintain and refurbish the graveyard, will feature presentations that detail the lives of individuals who are buried in the 225-year-old cemetery and have helped impact parish history.
St. Landry Cemetery Tours have been an annual event since 2003 and funding from the tours have allowed the Cemetery Tour Committee to pay for more than 60 gravesite restorations.
Afternoon tours are set for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The evening and nighttime events are scheduled for Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, beginning at 6 p.m.
Handicapped tours will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.
Cost for the tours is $10 per person.
Spirits Making Appearances
Etha Amling features the life of Emma Wakefield Paillet, the first African-American female physician in Louisiana.
James Genovese, a Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, interviews his brother, Michael Genovese, a teenage Swamp Pop musician, who was killed in a 1958 automobile accident.
Charles Roy unveils the life of Jean Prevot, the owner of a dry goods store, while Jessie Marsalais and Adam Guidry recount the life of U.S. Marine Joseph Launey who fought in World War II.
The career of Rosenwald School educator Millard Mathew Guidry will be recalled by Amanda Boutte.
Prudhomme Home Family ancestors Mary Aline and Caroline Prudhomme are detailed by Olivia Marks, Nina Moreau and Tim Marks.
The Civil War service by Theodore, Jopher, Theophile and Narcisse Pain will be presented by Cecilia Alsandor and Sheryl Ned.
James Douget portrays the life of Jim Bowie, who lived briefly in Opelousas and also participated in the War of 1812.
More Information
Additional details for the tour can be obtained by calling Valentin Hall 1020 North Main Street at 337-942-6552 or 337-308-3474.
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