New Orleans is a city that’s filled with historic gems. Not only is this particular church the oldest of its kind in New Orleans, but also in the entire country. You’ve probably passed by it a million times, but have you ever gone in? Let’s take a closer look at this history behind this amazing cathedral in Jackson Square.

Nestled in Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral might just be one of the most iconic landmarks in New Orleans.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
Any photographer worth their salt has captured this beautiful building.
Built in 1727, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
The original structure, known as the Church of St. Louis, was pretty much just a basic wooden building. It was torn down to build a larger, brick and timber church in 1727.

Unfortunately, that building burned during the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788. The church, the priest’s home, and the Casa Principal were all destroyed in the fire.

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It took almost a year before construction on the new church began.
Wikimedia
Construction began in 1789 and the new church was completed in 1794, and granted Cathedral status.
As the community began to grow, the congregation decided to expand the cathedral.
Christian Senger/Flickr
So in 1849, the diocese hired John Patrick Kirwan to do the construction while using the renovation plans designed by J.N.B. de Pouilly. Due to some poor planning and improper calculations, the central tower collapsed, causing roughly $20,000 in damages. Both de Pouilly and Kirwan were replaced for the rest of the construction project, but unfortunately much of the original Spanish Colonial structure was lost. The bell from the 1819 tower, however, is still intact and continues to ring on the hour to this day.
The Cathedral is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for self guided tours.
Jon B./Trip Advisor
There is also a daily mass at 12:05 p.m.

The St. Louis Cathedral’s address is 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Have you ever visited the St. Louis Cathedral? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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