St. Patrick's Church - New Orleans Campus

Non-Denominational · Contemporary worship · New Orleans, LA

Location
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Denomination
Non-Denominational
Worship style
Contemporary
Size
Medium (200 - 800)
Ministries & emphasis
Contemporary, Expository Preaching, Kids Ministry, Youth Ministry, Small Groups
Google rating
★ 4.8 (530 reviews)
Kids ministry
Yes

Official websiteWatch the latest sermonStatement of faith / beliefs

What visitors say

What a beautiful historically impactful church. I visited twice in 2 days while on vacation. Friday for mass and Stations of the Cross which while speedily completed still very moving. I returned Saturday evening for Sunday mass because of a travel day Sunday. Mass had music and excellent content. The young priest was deliberate and concise in his homily thanks Father! Only drawback I saw was very limited parking. I stayed in the French Quarter so I was within walking distance. Very spiritual experience St. Patrick! Thank you! Wow. A magnificent church built for our King and Savior. Among the most revered of New Orleans historic landmarks is Old St. Patrick’s Church, a stunning example of the arts and crafts of another era. It stands in the heart of the business district and is one of the treasures that remains from early 19th century days when the city began moving outside the boundaries of Bienville’s original settlement, the French Quarter.It has been declared a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior, setting it apart as a special American edifice of importance.Old St. Patrick’s lies in the 700 block of Camp Street in what was known as the American sector. It is one of the few historic and architecturally significant structures in and around Lafayette Square, once a grand park for residents and businessmen in the uptown side of the city across Canal Street from the Quarter. It was in this section that Americans built their homes and business establishments and distinguised their lifestyles from those of the Creoles residing in the original city limits. At this tree-shaded patch of green (that remains today a respected urban open space in the Central Business District) cotton merchants, politicians and residents chatted. American ladies rested on benches, or strolled beneath their parasols pushing their baby buggies in much the same manner as the Creoles did along their Promenade Publique (now called Esplanade Ave.) in the Vieux Carre. Aside from the magnificent Gallier Hall which served as City Hall until recent years, Old St. Patrick’s is the onlyearly landmark of distinction in the square area that still remains much as it did originally. The church dates to 1840, but the parish was established in 1833, the first outside the boundaries of the original city. The first structure was a small wooden building at the site the church occupies today. Now the church is in the midst of a section in the business area that is surrounded by what was once a neighborhood of grand mansions and fine mercantile stores that were outfitted with the finest appointments. This whole area now is regaining its significance as an in-town area for housing and shopping rows. In the old days the section was known as Faubourg (suburb) St. Mary. It was here that St. Patrick’s was born out of necessity, and from an Irish determination to worship in the splendor and magnificence equal to the French in their grand St. Louis Cathedral. For too long, they thought, good Catholic Irish immigrants squirmed in the rear pews of the Cathedral on Jackson Square where God appeared to speak only in French. Bishop Antoine Blanc observed this and he encouraged the construction of a small wooden church on Camp Street for the Irish. In a short time it was filled to overflowing at every Sunday Mass. The Irish then began building a grand church, one that would rival the Cathedral. And indeed, it did. The Irish hired noted architects Charles and James Dakin to plan it. Construction began around the existing wooden church which was dismantled and carried out when the new edifice was completed. The new church was of Gothic style in elegant details, with a ceiling imitating Exeter Cathedral. The tower is 185 feet high, the vestibule 40 feet, the nave 85 feet. It was a triumph in Gothic comparable to any parochial structure of its kind in Europe. But there were construction problems in the swampy area. The foundation was found to be defective in part. So the church hired James Gallier, an Irish architect who came here in 1834, to complete the building. The walls of the tower were settling at one side. Gallier accomplished a remarkable feat of engineering skill. He removed the old foundation, replacing it with a new one, without pulling down the walls. This lovely historic cathedral is easily accessible from Canal Street and the French Quarter. Beautiful church inside and out. We went Sunday for the Latin mass. A must do if you have never experienced. Such a beautiful place and TLM service. Really felt I was stepping back into time and getting a glimpse of heaven walking into the church

Is St. Patrick's Church - New Orleans Campus right for me?

St. Patrick's Church - New Orleans Campus may be a good fit if you're looking for contemporary worship, a Non-Denominational church, a church with a kids ministry in New Orleans. Every church feels different in person — plan to visit a Sunday service, and check the church's website for current service times.

Not sure which church fits you?
Take the free 2-minute Soul Signature quiz and get churches ranked by worship style, teaching, and family needs.
Take the quiz

Other churches in New Orleans

See all 22 churches in New Orleans, LA →