Directly across the barracks' central passageway from the prison was the garrison chapel. Dedicated to St. Louis, a portrait of whom now hangs above the altar the chapel also served as the parish church. At Louisbourg religion did not exercise so strong an influence as at QuÄbec; although plans were drawn up for a parish church, construction never proceeded. Members of the Recollect Order were responsible for the religious life of the garrison and the community. Several requests were made for a German-speaking priest to serve Catholic soldiers in the Karrer Regiment.
Though most of the congregation stood during religious services, chairs were provided for such dignitaries as the governor and the civil administrator of the colony. Two of δle Royale's governors died in the colony and were buried beneath the chapel floor. Also interred were one of Louisbourg's officers, Michel DeGannes, and the Duc d'Anville (Jean-Baptiste-Louis-FrÄdÄric de la Rochefoucauld de Roye), a relative of Louis XV who led an unsuccessful attempt to retake Louisbourg from the British in 1746. The latter died and was buried at Chebucto (Halifax), but his remains were exhumed and sent to Louisbourg for burial in 1749 when the French again controlled the fortress.
