St. Martin de Porres

Parish History

St. Martin de Porres traces its origin to the African American Catholic community of South Lake Charles. In the early 1950s residents of the Prien Lake community had no nearby Catholic church, and Mr. Frank Granger began hosting Sunday Mass in his home whenever a priest could come out. The Vincent family of Lake Charles offered to fund construction of a church if Mr. Granger donated the land; he agreed, and a small one-room chapel built by carpenters Fanner Guidry and Elmo Singleton, with many community volunteers, was completed in time for its first Mass on Christmas 1951. The statue of St. Martin de Porres was donated by Dr. Murray Martin, a Sacred Heart parishioner and Lake Charles physician. The chapel was first served by the priests of Sacred Heart Parish, became part of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in February 1970 after Vatican II, and was established as its own parish in 2002 in the Diocese of Lake Charles's South Central Deanery.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Reverend Monsignor Jace Eskind, J.C.L., who serves as pastor and also as a Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal. Deacon Richard Donahoe serves the parish and directs OCIA.

• Reverend Monsignor Jace Eskind, J.C.L. — Pastor
• Deacon Richard Donahoe — OCIA Director
• Pat Foy — Office Manager / Purchasing / Safe Environment
• Leah Arnaud — Administrative Assistant
• Melissa Viator — Records / Receptionist
• Tina Chaisson — Accountant
• Joe Whitbeck — Communications / Facilities / IT
• Christopher Miller — Choir Director
• Pam Fontenot — Director of Liturgy / Music
• Colin Broussard — Religious Education Coordinator, Grades 9–12 / Youth Director
• Reagan Campo — Religious Education Coordinator, Grades 5–8
• Jennifer (Jenny) Bellow — Religious Education Coordinator, Grades 1–4
• Becky Clements — Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
• Terri "Tootsie" Wainwright — Religious Education Secretary
• Beau Fontenot — Maintenance
• Melissa Hamilton

Worship Schedule & Devotions

The parish offers a Saturday vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m., Sunday Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and weekday Mass at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday (no Monday Mass). Holy Days are celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Confessions are heard Saturday 3:15–4:00 p.m. in the main church confessory, or by appointment. A range of devotions shape the parish's liturgical life across the year.

• Rosary before each Mass in May and October
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy following Wednesday Mass
• Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent
• Parish Feast Day celebration on November 3 (St. Martin de Porres)
• Parish Celebration Day, Fall Auction, and Spring Golf Tournament as parish-wide festivals

Religious Education & Faith Formation

The Religious Education program 'enhances and supports lifelong faith formation that is centered in and flows out of the events of Church life,' embracing all ages and generations. The home is described as the 'domestic church' and the family as the first catechist. Classes are held on Wednesdays at St. John Elementary School from after school starts through Easter.

• Grades 1–4 — Wednesdays 5:30–7:00 p.m.; Coordinator: Jenny Bellow; texts: Faith and Life (Ignatius Press) and the Bible
• Grades 5–8 — Wednesdays 5:30–7:00 p.m.; Coordinator: Reagan Campo; texts: Faith and Life, Ignatius Press, and the Bible
• Grades 9–11 — Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 p.m.; Coordinator: Colin Broussard; texts: Witness to the Gift, the Bible, and YouCat
• Religious Education Secretary: Terri 'Tootsie' Wainwright — [email protected]

Becoming Catholic & Adult Faith Formation

Parishioners and inquirers exploring the Catholic faith are welcomed through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), directed by Deacon Richard Donahoe. Adult formation continues year-round through small groups, retreats, and a subscription to Formed.org that the parish provides free to parishioners.

• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Deacon Richard Donahoe
• Come Lord Jesus weekly small-group Bible study in parishioner homes
• Morning Reflection for Men — Friday 6:00–7:00 a.m. in the Church Northex
• Adult Faith Formation — Coordinator: Becky Clements
• Parish Missions and seasonal Adult Formation classes (see bulletin or call the office)
• Formed.org — free access for all parishioners (Bible studies, movies, audio, books)

Youth & Children's Ministry

The SMdP Youth Group meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the church. Children's Church is currently suspended and will return when facility space allows. Religious Education classes for grades 1–11 — including Confirmation preparation in grades 9–11 — are the primary faith-formation track for children and teens, using 'Witness to the Gift,' YouCat, and the Ignatius Press 'Faith and Life' series.

• SMdP Youth Group (grades 7–12) — Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 p.m. in the church
• Children's Church — currently suspended pending facility space
• Confirmation preparation — Grades 9–11 (Coordinator: Colin Broussard)

Music & Liturgy

Music is central to the parish's identity. Choir Director Christopher Miller and Director of Liturgy/Music Pam Fontenot lead the music ministry. The parish traces its musical roots to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Sandy Gay and her sister Kathy taught catechism and provided music at Sunday Mass, followed by Eva Bellamo and then Leola Collins, who began playing organ and singing for Mass in 1987 and formed a Youth Choir in 1994. Free parishioner access to Formed.org continues that catechetical and liturgical formation in digital form.

• Choir Director: Christopher Miller
• Director of Liturgy / Music: Pam Fontenot

Sacraments

The Sacrament of Penance is offered Saturday 3:15–4:00 p.m. in the main church confessory or by appointment. Baptisms and Marriages are scheduled by appointment through the parish office. Confirmation is prepared for through the Grades 9–11 Religious Education curriculum (Witness to the Gift, YouCat, and the Bible) under Coordinator Colin Broussard. Those seeking to become Catholic are welcomed through OCIA, directed by Deacon Richard Donahoe.

• Penance (Confession): Saturday 3:15–4:00 p.m. or by appointment
• Baptism: by appointment through the parish office
• Marriage: by appointment through the parish office
• Confirmation: prepared in the Grades 9–11 Religious Education program
• OCIA (Becoming Catholic): Deacon Richard Donahoe

Parish Life, Outreach & Community

The parish is the heart of the Prien Lake community in South Lake Charles, an area it has served since 1951. Its famous annual bazaar and barbecue dinners, the personal home-assistance service ministry listed on the parish homepage, and active Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Knights of Columbus councils shape its outreach. Festivals on the calendar include the Feast Day (Nov. 3), Parish Celebration Day, a Fall Auction, and a Spring Golf Tournament.

• Personal Home Assistance — New Service Ministry (parish homepage feature)
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas
• Knights of Columbus
• Annual Bazaar / Barbecue Dinners (long-standing fundraising tradition)
• Parish Celebration Day & Feast of St. Martin de Porres (November 3)
• Fall Auction
• Spring Golf Tournament

Visiting, Office Hours & Contact

The parish office is temporarily located behind the church at 5495 Elliott Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605 (Calcasieu Parish). Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.) and 1:00–4:30 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The parish says: 'Whether you're just having a look, or are searching out for a place to worship, we're delighted to have you here.'

• Address: 5495 Elliott Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605
• Phone: (337) 478-3845 — Fax: (337) 477-2828
• Email (Office): [email protected]
• Email (Religious Education): [email protected]
• Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–noon and 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.–noon
• Website: https://www.smdpcatholic.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smdpcatholic/