Religion in Louisiana

0: Storyville, New Orleans, LA

Unearthing what two New Orleans brothers—a priest and a photographer—did with their spare time. By Michael Pasquier, for Killing the Buddha.

1: LSU Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

A creative reflection on the religious dimensions of college football. Paired are images of LSU football, the spoken words of LSU campus ministers, and the written words of the LSU alma mater.

2: St. Bernard and St. Francis Catholic Churches, Breaux Bridge, LA

Many communities throughout South Louisiana have two Roman Catholic churches, one white and other black. Breaux Bridge is one of those communities.

3: Pentagon Barracks, Baton Rouge, LA

For the last nearly 200 years, the Pentagon Barracks has stood for community, loyalty, honor, passion and dedication. These are similar to the values that surround religion in the South both in the past and today. Without these intrinsic ideas that come from a deep-rooted faith in southern religion, great monuments like these might not have been preserved. Institutions like these exist today as an example of the southern religious notions of duty, community and brotherhood.

4: Bill Evans Gravesite, Roselawn Cemetery, Baton Rouge, LA

5: Private Garden, Uptown, New Orleans, LA

In the Uptown New Orleans area, many people put statues of religious figures on their lawns in the view of the public. These Catholic crosses, statues of Mary, and icons of saints often adorn the yards of Cajun, Creole, and other ethnic Roman Catholics.

6: Wind Chime Tree, City Park, New Orleans, LA

“The Singing Oak” is an art installation produced by Jim Hart. It is located in City Park, New Orleans. According to the artist’s statement: “The Singing Oak is simply a one hundred year old beautiful oak tree with an array of wind chimes hanging from its limbs, all tuned to play together in harmony…The music of The Singing Oak emerges from the interaction between natural forces and human imagination. It demonstrates the harmony between nature and man in a way that is soothing and melodic to the human ear. The balance between the natural beauty of the oak itself and the song it emits, is not diminished by the hidden presence of the chimes making the sound…It is the scale of the melody to 'Amazing Grace,' and many other songs interwoven in the musical history of New Orleans. Tuned to the major pentatonic scale, the wind-generated music of The Singing Oak is reminiscent of the tuning and organic spontaneity of jazz and many traditional Louisiana songs.”

7: Magnolia Cemetery, Baton Rouge, LA

This is Magnolia Cemetery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The religious significance of this site lies in the fact that it is a hallowed place in which loved ones are able to be remembered with reverence and also to be honored.

8: Mardi Gras Indians, New Orleans, La

Every year different prominent African American neighborhoods through out New Orleans spend months creating costumes that they only use two days out of the year- Mardi Gras and Saint Joseph's Day- as they parade throughout New Orleans to meet one another

9: St. Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans, LA

Religion in Louisiana is particularly unique due to the influence of Voo Doo in the area. Marie Laveau is the most renown Voo Doo Queen to this day even over one-hundred years later. In death, as in life, people can request favors by leaving X's and offerings on her grave in the predominately Christian St. Louis Cemetery #1.

10: Congo Square, New Orleans, LA

Congo Square is a historically significant New Orleans site where slaves gathered to dance, sing, and hold religious and community gatherings in the 18th and 19th century. Today, located in Louis Armstrong Park, African American musicians gather occasionally to continue the musical tradition started by their ancestors with modern day local tunes where other natives and tourists can be entertained.

11: Chick-fil-A, Baton Rouge, LA

Founded by a devout Southern Baptist, Truett Cathy, in a small town of Georgia in 1946, Chick-fil-A has now grown to become the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States. It also ranks among the most widely recognized religiously affiliated companies in the United States. Chick-fil-A has a proud Christian identity, as seen by all Chick-fil-A restaurants being closed on Sundays. The particular restaurant in the video is on College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

12: Memorial Oak Grove, Baton Rouge, LA

The Memorial Oak Grove is located behind the Louisiana State University Student Union. Dedicated in 1936, each of the 30 trees represents a soldier killed in World War I, with one tree representing the Unknown.

13: Ghost Bike, Baton Rouge, LA

Corner of Perkins Road and Quail Run Drive,Baton RougeOn the 21st of January, 2012, Nathan Crowson died. He was hit by a drunk driver while cycling in Baton Rouge, and a Ghost Bike memorial was erected in his memory. Ghost Bikes are roadside shrines; they exude personal religious sentiments in very public spaces. Nathan Crowson's Ghost Bike rests at the site of his death, slowly being worn away by the elements as public life continues around it.

14: LSU Greek Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA,

The Greek Theatre located on the Louisiana State University campus was built in 1925 and is used today for religious ceremonies, concerts, and a quiet place to reflect and study.The structure of the Greek Theatre has a history that dates back to the first centuries of ancient classic civilization.Sophocles was an extremely influential playwright whose plays were performed in Greek theatres during religious festivals. The performances were considered sacred and were a part of divine worship.

15: Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

Roadside memorials are symbols of the loss of life. They are sacred monuments placed in the public arena. This time lapse shows a day in the life of a roadside memorial located on Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

16: Middleton Library, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA

17: Stained Glass Churches, Sulphur, LA

18: Fleur de Lis Lounge, Baton Rouge, LA

56555 Government Strea, Baton Rouge Louisiana. The fleur de lis is just one great example of the connection between religion and public life in Louisiana.

19: Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA

20: Front St., Natchitoches, LA

21: Richards Honda, Baton Rouge, LA

22: LSU War Memorial, Baton Rouge, LA

Death is hard to deal with. Many people will look towards their religion for comfort when dealing with the loss of a loved one. The LSU war memorial, located on the Louisiana State University parade grounds, showcases the names of LSU alumni who have lost their lives serving their country. Their names sit quietly as a reminder of their great sacrifice.

23: Landolt Observatory, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA

The LSU Physics & Astronomy Department has viewing nights about twice a month where it opens the Landolt Astronomical Observatory to the public. This video captures those attending one of these viewing nights in March 2012 as they experience the cosmos, one by one, in ceremonial sequence. Audio footage comes from lectures and interviews of scientists reflecting on the significance of scientific discoveries, particularly those in astrophysics over the last half century, to an understanding of the origin of human life and the meaning of our existence.