St Joachim and Ann Chapel

According to the Daways, the late Lionette Hurtault informed them that the Catholic Church was built at Laudat before 1913 on land donated by Mr. Pascal Laudat. Matilda Rolle, better known as “Ma Dejillcent,” Valentine Jno Jules, Etheline Laudat and Josephine Birmingham took care of the maintenance of the “old chapel.” In later years the maintenance was taken over by Mrs. Donana Rolle, Mrs. Mille Bertrand, Mrs. Leah Rolle, Mrs. Delica Rolle, and Mrs. Yvonne Shillingford nee Hodge. These “servants of the Lord” made sure that the chapel and the one-room presbytery,  adjacent to the chapel, were always clean and neat and in good order for the priest when he arrived for services.

In the “old days” Mass was celebrated in Latin. The organist was Head Teacher, Gwyndolyn Peter and the choir leader was Mrs. Dorana Rolle. Hilda Matthew and Yvonne Shillingford conducted religious instructions for First Communion and Confirmation. First Communion was held at Laudat while Confirmation was held in the Cathedral at Roseau. During Holy Week and on special feasts, many people walked to Roseau to attend the services in the Cathedral. Some stayed overnight with relatives or friends.

When it was possible to drive to Laudat, Mass was celebrated almost every Sunday. People remember Mrs. Daniel Green or Mr. Lander transporting Father Gelaude, Father Francis, or Father Lamote for Sunday Mass. The services of other priests such as Fathers Huysmans, Werner, Long, Charles and Felix (now retired Archbishop of St. Lucia and back with us in Dominica) are remembered with gratitude. In times of serious illness or death, the people met in groups and prayed. Mrs. Josephine Birmingham conducted the prayer service while someone was sent to Roseau for the priest.

On the Feast of St. Ann every five years, Mass was celebrated by the Bishop. Confirmation was usually conferred on that feast, beginning in 1967. Bishop Boghaert organized the first village fair at the Laudat Primary School around that time. The returns of the Fair went towards the building of the new chapel. Father Charles and Father Huysmans were involved in bringing that project to a successful completion.