Plaisance near Opelousas in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

St. Marks Baptist Church and Cemetery

Est. 1949

Photographed by Brian M Davis, August 12, 2024

1. St. Marks Baptist Church and Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Organized by the St. Marks Baptist Assoc. The first pastor was Rev. Atkins Leday, Sr., who ministered to members from Plaisance/St. Landry Parish and nearby area. The purpose of the church was to encourage religion, education, charity, and the worship of God according to the Baptist faith. A one-room building served as the first sanctuary with an outdoor Baptismal Font. St. Marks has saved many souls and buried many in its cemetery. Rev. Atkins Leday, Sr. and his wife are buried in the cemetery. Remembering the Place: That Saves Us.

Erected 2024 by Sponsored by the William Blount, III and Theresa Johnson-Blount Family and Cooking From Bayou Courtableau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 30° 37.298′ N, 92° 8.322′ W. Marker is near Opelousas, Louisiana, in St. Landry Parish. It is in Plaisance. It is on U.S. 167 just west of Dupre Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3475 US-167, Opelousas LA 70570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana — Cajun Country.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

Acadia,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Plaisance School (approx.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

0.4 miles away); St. Mark Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Patriots of the Opelousas Militia (approx. 4.6 miles away); Elter House / John Hunt Gordon House (approx. 4.6 miles away); Ben Burg House / Lucien Dupré House (approx. 4.7 miles away); Prather House (approx. 4.7 miles away); Bidstrup House (approx. 4.7 miles away); Martin Furniture Works (approx. 4.7 miles away).

Also see . . . Historical Marker Dedication Program and Photographs. This PDF file includes images of the dedication program and the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, and photographs of the dedication and unveiling. (Submitted on January 30, 2026.)

St. Marks Baptist Church and this Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Blount III

2. St. Marks Baptist Church and this Historical Marker

At the Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Blount III, August 12, 2024

3. At the Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony

From left, State Representative Dustin Miller; Julius Alsandor, Mayor of Opelousas; Theresa Johnson-Blount; Paul Joseph; Dwight Landreneaux, Mayor of Washington, Louisiana; and Paul Smith, Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Master of Ceremonies, William Blount III, is behind the camera.

Ms. Johnson-Blount and Mr. Joseph are descendants.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2026, by Brian M Davis of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 581 times since then. Last updated on January 30, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2026, by Brian M Davis of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2026. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.