St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans

St. Louis Cathedral: A Renowned Landmark of New Orleans. This venerable edifice, with its spires overlooking Jackson Square and the statue of President Andrew Jackson, stands at the heart of the French Quarter.

The cathedral serves as a site for religious ceremonies and symbolizes the spirit of New Orleans. From its majestic towers to the meticulously adorned interior, St. Louis Cathedral attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, eager to marvel at its beauty and delve into its unique history.

The Construction of St. Louis Cathedral

In March 1721, French engineer Adrien de Pauger arrived in the city under the directive of Louisiana's chief engineer. His primary mission was to mark the location for a church that was planned for construction. The new parish church, dedicated to Louis IX, the King of France, was to be the first building in New Orleans made of 'brick between posts,' a new and efficient construction method used in Louisiana until the mid-19th century. De Pauger did not live to see the church's completion. In his will, he requested to be buried in the unfinished building.

In one of his letters, Pastor Antonio de Sedella described the speed at which the fire devoured the houses. He wrote that he sent several notes to the house of a tobacco industrialist, located a couple of rifle shots away from the fire's epicenter, but they never reached their destination — the tobacco industrialist's house was already ablaze. Almost a year passed before the charred remains of the church were cleared. The construction of the new cathedral began in early 1789 and was only completed by Christmas 1794.

A New Chapter in the Cathedral's History

In 1819, the city council purchased a clock and bell, and also built a central tower for their placement. An organ was installed in the cathedral in 1829, and in 1825, Italian artist Francesco Zapari embellished the interior and three altars.

In 1844, Baroness Pontalba presented a reconstruction project to the city council, as the building could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. The chief architect proposed extending the church and adding galleries, but he was unsure if even these changes would sufficiently increase the space to meet the needs of the expanding community. A contract was eventually signed with Irish builder John Kirwan for the cathedral's restoration. The agreement required a reconstruction that would leave only the side walls and the old church's flanking hexagonal towers untouched. However, as construction progressed, it became evident that the side walls also had to be demolished.

During construction, the central clock and bell tower collapsed. This catastrophic incident caused damage estimated at $20,000. In the following months, experts tried to determine the cause of the collapse. The outcome was that Kirwan and the architect were dismissed, and the work was completed in the 1850s.

Architecture and Features

• The cathedral's towering central spire, flanked by two smaller spires and a perfectly symmetrical facade, has been a favorite subject for artists, photographers, and filmmakers for many years.
• At the rear of the cathedral is the Garden of St. Anthony, where a statue of Jesus with raised arms stands. At night, spotlights project an impressive shadow of the statue onto the cathedral.
• The interior is open for self-guided tours during times when mass, weddings, and funerals are not taking place.
• The stained glass and paintings in the church are outstanding works of art, as is the gilded rococo altar that adorns the facade of the church.
• Although it is a Catholic place of worship, the cathedral's rich history and beautiful design attract visitors of all faiths and nationalities.

Interesting Facts About St. Louis Cathedral

• On January 22, 1829, Capuchin priest Pere Dagobert was buried in the cathedral. For over 40 years, he served in New Orleans, being the cathedral's pastor from 1785 until his death at the age of 81. For three days after his death, thousands of people came to pay their respects. On the day of the funeral, a cannon salute was announced to begin the ceremony. It is said that his ghost now appears during the Christmas midnight mass near the left side of the altar, holding a candle.
• On January 8, 1840, President Andrew Jackson visited St. Louis Cathedral, where a speech was given in his honor. After this ceremony, he conducted a military review in Place d'Armes Square. Since then, parades are regularly held there.
• In December 1847, the cathedral was visited by Zachary Taylor, a hero of the Mexican War, who later also became president. After the service, the crowd joyfully greeted the old general, who rode his warhorse through the city.
• Visitors to St. Louis Cathedral can purchase religious items in the gift shop, with all proceeds going towards the maintenance and upkeep of the building.