 The first record of a priest's visit on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain is that of Father DuRu, Jesuit missionary, in 1700, who accompanied Iberville on his second voyage to Louisiana.With Monsieur de Sauville, Father DuRu left from Bay St. Louis and made his way on foot through the Pearl River swamp to the Acolapissa Indian village, a trip of many days, filled with incredible hardships.Later, priests from the church at New Orleans visited the area occasionally.