Stan Routh
Painter and Illustrator
Baton Rouge, La.

Old St. Gabriel Church Stan Routh

Besides that though, the old Catholic Church at St. Gabriel, the history of that structure is such that its very symbolic of the hard work and dedication of the people of Iberville Parish. And that kind of connects to one of the most recent things I've become aware of: the Shrine at Bayou Pigeon.

Shrine at Bayou Pigeon Stan Routh

The Shrine at Bayou Pigeon is a thing you have to experience for yourself. It was inspired by a trip by the priest Father Terminy to Medjugoria, Yugoslavia, a good many years ago. He felt called to build this Shrine in the Atchafalaya. If you think of pilgrimages, they re always in a remote area; and I remember a restaurant that was at the end of the road at Bayou Pigeon called "The End of the World," and it was a pretty good description. To truly appreciate the degree of dedication involved, a trip to the Shrine would be most worthwhile.