Architecture & Neighborhoods 2020: Religious Sites

The Old Ursuline Convent

The Old Ursuline Convent was finished being built in 1752 and is one of the most iconic building in New Orleans. The Ursuline Convent is located in the Mississippi river valley and is the oldest building located here and the longest surviving building in the french colonial period. It has survived not only one fire but two of the largest fires that wiped out most of New Orleans French Quarter. How is this possible? Well the story goes that the nuns had smoke and fire all around them and headed right for the convent. They brought what is known as the sweetheart statue to one of the windows upstairs and began to pray. They prayed and prayed asking that the convent remain safe as well as them. The winds began to change right before them and the fire blew away from the church leaving them out of harm's way and saving the convent. The sweetheart is still around today and is located at one of the schools that is in the parish.

This is the front of the convent and it has many rows of beautifully trimmed hedges and a garden in the back. It is also used for a lot of wedding venues.

Central Staircase

This cypress staircase was originally part of the 1734 convent that stood closer to the Mississippi river. It was reinstalled here when the present convent was built. This staircase is the only open, winding staircase remaining in an American colonial building. The hand-forged railing is the only original ironwork left from the French Colonial Louisiana.

You will be in for a treat with the oil paintings and beautiful murals seen inside the chapel at the convent. You will see many statues of different Saints lining the chapel. Each Saint is holding or depicted with what they are believed to be brought into Sainthood by. There is another beautiful winding staircase in the back of the chapel. This church is no longer providing a regular service but many people are said to get married here or have a private service. In the back courtyard of the chapel there are four statues of soon to be Saints that the city is fighting for to become real Saints in the churches eyes.

Here is a video and virtual tour of the Old Ursuline Convent.

St. Louis Cathedral

The St. Louis Cathedral sits between the Presbytere and the Cabildo and is one of New Orleans staple buildings. It sits just behind Jackson square overlooking the fountain. It has been said to be an "international architectural icon." It was built in 1727 and is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the United States. It had to be rebuilt in the 1850's due to the great fire of 1794 which almost destroyed it completely. The fire took place on good friday when the bells were taken down and there was supposed to be quite and peace in the town. When the bells did not ring to alert for danger the city suffered great losses and the church almost was completely destroyed.

This picture is looking down on Jackson Square with the St. Louis Cathedral in the middle the Cabildo on the left hand side and the Presbytere on the right side.

Some of the iconic architectural features that you will get to see will include the three spires with the middle one being the largest. You will also see many spot lights illuminating the church at night. In the back of the church they has a statue of Jesus that the Locals like to call touchdown Jesus because of the way his shadow casts on the church at night. The Cathedral is home to many stained glass windows, a beautiful altar, and beautiful paintings that are done on canvas so they can be retouched every few years.

In the St. Louis Cathedral you will be in for a treat as they have dozens of handcrafted stained glass windows which are hand painted. Many statues and priceless artifacts such as the many flags they have hanging. Everything from the woodworking to the flooring has so much detail that is unique to Spanish culture and many different spanish building influences will be seen when you tour this amazing Cathedral. The roof tiles are made of stone so they will not burn in a fire as the church was almost a total loss before.