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New Orleans: Saint Louis Cathedral is seen from Jackson Square, By Infrogmation of New Orleans – Photo by Infrogmation,

Top 10 Amazing Facts about the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France also known as St. Louis Cathedral, is the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and the United States’ oldest cathedral still in continuous use. 

It is dedicated to Saint Louis also known as King Louis IX of France. The Church was originally built in 1727 and was rebuilt in 1794 after it burned during the great fire at that time. The present structure of the church was completed in the 1850s.

 The top 10 amazing facts that you should know about the St. Louis  Cathedral in New Orleans  before you go there  include the following;

1. It’s situated in heart of the French Quarter

The St. Louis Cathedral is located in the heart of the French Quarter, directly across from Jackson Square. Its location is at 615 Pere Antoine Alley. It also faces the Mississippi River in the heart of New Orleans, situated between the historic building of the Cabildo and the Presbytery.

It is an attractive heritage for the American city. Throughout the year the cathedral hosts events that are at the core of the catholic community in New Orleans.

2. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral in use. 

By Not credited – Gibson’s,

St. Louis Cathedral is one of the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedrals in continuous use in the United state. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The site for the church was selected by a French engineer, Adrien De Pauger in 1721.

The original church was built in 1727 before it burned in the great fire of 1788 and a new church was rebuilt and dedicated in 1794, as the cathedral of the Diocese of Louisiana and Florida.   After burning down during the great fire in 1788, it was rebuilt on the same site and dedicated on Christmas Eve, 1794, as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Louisiana and Florida.

3. St. Louis Cathedral acts as a symbol of hope in New Orleans

Today the St. Louis Cathedral is an iconic symbol of New Orleans and at the same time a tribute to the people and clergy who struggled to preserve it. Despite its destructive past, which includes the dynamite bombing and the hurricane, it’s an imposing structure when viewed from any angle. It has a majestic and striking beauty that surrounds the structure which extends to the interior walls.

Even though St. Louis has a history of destruction, it has become an iconic symbol of hope and resilience in New Orleans and the people who inhabit it.

4. The church was named for Saint Louis, King Louis IX

After 9 years when the catholic was first constructed on the site in 1727, the church was named Saint Louis. He was the IX  king o France. He is known as Saint Louis or  Louis the Saint.  It is said that most of the stained glass windows and statues inside the cathedral pay tribute to Saint Louis. The title of the church now is Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France.

5 . It was designated as a minor basilica  

Pope Paul VI designated the cathedral as a minor basilica in 1964.  However, the minor basilica status has been associated with some of the privileges that are conferred by the papal brief. They include having certain precedence over other churches, the right of the colosseum, and the bell which are carried side by side in procession at the head of the clergy on state occasions.

6 . Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the cathedral

By Fotografia Felici –

In September 1987, when  Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State, h  paid a visit to the cathedral. Later on, he was canonized as Pope Saint John Paul II. The canonization process began one month after his death, with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. 

7 . Expect a full house for mass on  catholic holidays 

The cathedral hosts catholic events throughout the year, including Easter, palm ceremony, Christmas, etc. In case you happen to be in New Orleans during one of the holidays and you happen to attend the event, you will always expect that mass packed.

The people who attend the service in St. Louis  Cathedral will be required to arrive at the church 30 minutes earlier before the service starts since it is usually fully packed most of the time.

8. It is a tourist attraction

By Arnoldius – Own work,

Many notable visitors have visited the St. Louis Cathedral throughout its history. Pope John Paul II was one of the cathedral’s notable visitors. He went to the cathedral in 1987. The French and Spanish governors and President Zachary Taylor were among the early visitors to the cathedral.

Even though St. Louis Cathedral is a Catholic house of worship, the cathedral’s rich history and beautiful design appeal to visitors of all faiths and nationalities. When there are no crowds or events, the interior is usually open for self-guided tours.

9. The cathedral is said to be allegedly haunted

Fr. Antonio de Sedellalsooo known as Père Antoine, is said to haunt the cathedral. He was a cathedral priest, and his body was interred in the church. In the early mornings, he is said to walk the alley that is named after him next to the cathedral. Â鶹APPhioners and tourists have reported seeing him holding a candle during Christmas Midnight Mass near the left side of the altar. Père Dagobert, a friar who lived in the church, is also said to haunt the cathedral. On rainy days, his voice is said to be heard chanting the Kyrie. 

10. Cathedral St. Louis has celebrated its 100th Anniversary

A side view of the cathedral from the rooftop of the Omni Hotel, Photo by
jtodom04 – Own work-

In 2014 the Cathedral celebrated its 100th anniversary. The mother church of the Archdiocese of  Saint Louis has a cathedral superstructure,s built between 1907 and 1914.

It is known for its beautiful interior mosaics, which took about 80 years t to create. it used more than 41 million pieces of glass tesserae.  it has the largest mosaic collections in the western hemisphere.