St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleans) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France
View of the façade from Jackson Square
29°57′28″N 90°03′49″W / 29.95778°N 90.06361°W / 29.95778; -90.06361
Location	Jackson Square New Orleans, Louisiana
Country	United States
Denomination	Catholic Church
Membership	6,000+
History
Status	Cathedral Minor basilica
Founded	1720
Dedication	Saint Louis
Architecture
Style	Spanish Colonial (Renaissance) French Neo Gothic
Groundbreaking	1789
Completed	1850s
Specifications
Number of spires	3
Spire height	130 ft (40 m)
Administration
Archdiocese	Archdiocese of New Orleans

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, often called St. Louis Cathedral, is a very old and important Catholic church in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the main church for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This cathedral is special because it is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States that has been used continuously since it was built.

The cathedral is named after Saint Louis, who was King Louis IX of France. The first church on this spot was built way back in 1718. The current building, which was mostly finished in the 1850s, replaced an earlier church from 1789.

You can find Saint Louis Cathedral in the famous French Quarter of New Orleans. It stands right next to Jackson Square and faces the Mississippi River. It's located between two other historic buildings, the Cabildo and the Presbytère.

History of the Cathedral
Gallery
Images for kids
See also

History of the Cathedral

Three different Catholic churches have stood on this very spot since New Orleans was founded in 1718. The first church was a simple wooden building. It was placed in the town square because the French settlers were Catholic.

Building the First Churches

A larger church made of brick and wood started being built in 1725 and was finished in 1727. Sadly, this church was destroyed in a big fire in New Orleans on March 21, 1788.

A new church began construction in 1789 and was completed in 1794. At this time, Louisiana was under Spanish rule. In 1793, this church became a "cathedral," which means it became the main church for the Diocese of New Orleans. This makes it one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States.

In 1819, a central tower was added to the church. It had a clock and a bell. The bell was named "Victoire" to celebrate the American victory in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

Major Rebuilding in the 1850s

By 1834, the church needed to be bigger because more people were attending. Plans were made to enlarge it. In 1849, work began to expand and restore the cathedral. The plan was to keep only the side walls and the lower parts of the front towers.

However, during the work, it was decided that the side walls also needed to be torn down. Then, in 1850, the central tower collapsed! Because of these problems, very little of the old Spanish church from 1789 remained. The building you see today is mostly from the 1850s. The bell from the 1819 tower was saved and is still in the new building.

Important Events

In 1909, a bomb caused damage to the cathedral, breaking windows and harming parts of the inside. The building had to close for repairs from 1916 to 1917.

For many years, services at the cathedral were offered in both English and French. By 1910, the church records started being written in English instead of French.

The cathedral was given a special title, "minor basilica," by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Later, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in September 1987.

Hurricane Katrina's Impact

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the strong winds damaged the cathedral. Two large trees behind the building were moved, and part of an ornamental gate was broken. A marble statue of Jesus Christ also lost a finger and a thumb.

The hurricane also tore a hole in the roof. Water got inside and badly damaged the large pipe organ. The organ had to be sent away to be rebuilt. It was reinstalled in the cathedral in June 2008.

Gallery

St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral Spires
St. Louis Cathedral at Night
St. Louis Cathedral Nave, Sanctuary and Galleries
St. Louis Cathedral Frescos
St. Louis Cathedral Sanctuary
St. Louis Cathedral Pulpit
St. Louis Cathedral, Rear of Cathedral Interior
St. Louis Cathedral Pipe Organ
St. Louis Cathedral, View of the Rear Façade of the Cathedral

Images for kids

A recreation of the Church of St. Louis from 1794, after it was rebuilt by the Spanish.
The cathedral in 1838, before the big rebuilding in 1850.
The Cathedral seen from Jackson Square.
Inside the cathedral.
A plaque showing the cathedral's "Minor Basilica" title.