615 Pere Antoine Aly. New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It] (504) 525-9585 Neighborhood: French Quarter
Attraction Information
Attraction Hours: Mass: Saturday 5pm, Sunday 9am & 11am, Weekdays 12pm/ Tours: Wednesday -Saturday 1pm-4pm (Times are subject to change. Please call ahead to verify.) Admission Costs: no charge Handicapped Accessible: Yes Free Parking: No
Description:
It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city of New Orleans – holding court over Jackson Square and the French Quarter, keep watch over the Mississippi River - the St. Louis Cathedral is a local and nation architectural icon.
The Cathedral, which is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States, was built in 1727 and dedicated to King Louis IX of France. The church has been rebuilt twice – once due to a fire that burned it to the ground and the other time during mistakes made during a renovation. The current building was completed in the 1850s. Since then, thousands have come to visit and worship in the Cathedral, including Pope John Paul II during his visit to New Orleans in 1987. While it is a Catholic Cathedral, the rich history and beautiful design of the church appeals to all visitors.
Walk inside and study the extraordinary stained glass windows and paintings within the church as well as the impressive Rococo-style, gilded alter that graces the front of the Church. When you leave the building, take a stroll down Pirate Alley to see the beautiful garden in the back. At night, floodlights project a mammoth shadow from the statue onto the Cathedral – a particularly awe-inspiring sight. The front is also lit up at night, illuminating the Cathedral’s powerful presence in the heart of the French Quarter. Whether you come to visit the inside of the Cathedral or if you just see it in passing a few times during your stay, the St. Louis Cathedral leaves a lasting impression on all that see it – tourists and locals.
