St. Mary's Assumption Church (New Orleans, Louisiana) facts for kids
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St. Mary's Assumption Church
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 Location in East New Orleans
Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Corner of Constance and Josephine New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 |
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| Built | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Baroque Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000361 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
St. Mary's Assumption Church is a very old and important church in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located at the corner of Constance and Josephine Streets. This beautiful church was finished in 1860. It was built for the many German Catholic families who moved to the Lower Garden District area of the city.
Right across the street, another church called Saint Alphonsus Church was built at the same time. That church was for the many Irish Catholic families moving into the same neighborhood. Both churches are known for being very beautiful and fancy. St. Mary's Assumption Church is so special that it is called a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place that is important to the history of the United States.
Contents
A Special Place: History of St. Mary's Assumption Church
St. Mary's Assumption Church is home to a special shrine and museum. These honor Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. He was a German priest who came to the United States to help German-speaking immigrants.
Father Seelos's Life and Legacy
Father Seelos became the pastor, or main priest, at St. Mary's Assumption. He cared for people who were sick with yellow fever. Sadly, he caught the disease himself and passed away in 1867. Because of his good and kind life, the Roman Catholic Church honored him. He was "beatified" in the year 2000. This is a step before becoming a saint.
Recognized as a National Landmark
In 1974, St. Mary's Assumption Church was named a National Historic Landmark. It is important because it is a rare and detailed example of German Baroque Revival architecture. This style of building is known for being grand and decorative.
Facing the Storms: Church Repairs
The church has faced challenges over the years. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy caused a lot of damage. The church had to close for a while and was almost torn down. Later, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina brought strong winds and heavy rain. This storm damaged the inside walls and ceiling of the church.
Church in Books and Stories
The famous writer Anne Rice had a special connection to St. Mary's Assumption. She and her husband, Stan, had their marriage blessed there. Anne Rice also included the church in some of her books. In The Witching Hour, two main characters get married at the church. In Blackwood Farm, the church is the setting for a funeral. After Hurricane Katrina, Anne Rice used her website to ask people to donate money. These donations helped repair the damage to St. Mary's Assumption Church.
The Church's Organs
St. Mary's Assumption Church has two pipe organs. These are large musical instruments that make sound using air through pipes.
The Grand Organ
The main organ is in the second balcony of the church. It was built in 1861 by a company called Simmons & Willcox from Boston. Over the years, it was updated and partly made electric.
The Choir Organ
The second organ, called the choir organ, was built in 1971 in The Netherlands. It was first used in a church in Royal Oak, Michigan. In 2015, this organ was moved to St. Mary's Assumption Church.
See also
