NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Sometimes, you just need to be wowed. And whether you’re looking for spiritual sights or architectural beauty, the churches in the New Orleans area supply plenty of both.
This summer, I’m checking out fun, weird, and flavorful things that will take you and fellow adventurers off the beaten path.
Yes, these are mostly Catholic churches. (All, if you count Greek Orthodox, but that’s not quite accurate.) That’s not saying there aren’t plenty of beautiful other churches in the area. I just happen to go to these places because of their tie ins to the city’s history, or I’m told about the amazing artwork there. Same difference.
(More pics of all the churches are below.)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church & St. Jude Shrine
If you’re down in the CBD or headed toward the French Quarter, one small church lies hidden on Rampart Street. Peering through the doors, you see a rather simple sanctuary and some of the homeless asleep on the pews. The real beauty is to either side of the altar: the shrines to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Address: 411 North Rampart
Sunday Masses: 7:30a, 9:30a, 11:30a & 6p (English)
1:30p (Spanish)
St. Joseph Church
Yes, this picture was taken at Christmas. But any time of year, the church is just beautiful, and with it’s long center aisle, it’s a favorite of brides.
Not only is there this giant Crucifixion scene painted behind the altar, the saints and greats of the Congregation of the Ministry (Vincentian Priests) and Daughters of Charity are painted near the ceiling. That’s because the church is run by the C.M., and the Daughters were founded under the direction of St. Vincent de Paul.
BONUS: Sometimes Fr. Tom plays accordion and sings at the end of his homily.
Address: 1802 Tulane Avenue
Sunday Masses: 10a & 8:30p
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Most people in the area only visit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the wonderful Greek Fest. But if you get the chance to go inside any other time, by all means- GO!
The iconography style of the many Orthodox churches is famous, and shared specifically by those more “eastern” traditions than the Roman Catholic Church. Holy Trinity is decked out with Greek iconography, including paintings of the disciples, Mary, Jesus, and many others from both the Greek tradition and recognized in the Roman Catholic rites.
Address: 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Sundays: 8:45a Orthros & 10a Divine Liturgy
Holy Name of Jesus Church (at Loyola University)
I’m not going to lie- the first time I went in here, I had parked nearby to catch the streetcar, really had to use the bathroom, and hoped there was a bathroom inside. (There wasn’t. It’s hidden outside and around the corner.)
The beauty of the church will take your breath away, though. The church is run by the Jesuits, who also have a hand in at Loyola. Go to Sunday mass there, and prepare for a headache finding parking. If you’re there early enough, you can park on the loop beside it. If not, you’re parallel parking on St. Charles Avenue.
Here, it’s not just the paintings and the statues, but the dome above the altar and the gorgeous stained glass.
If you don’t want to go to mass, keep an eye on the Loyola University website. Many times, the university will host speaking series there.
Address: 6367 St. Charles Avenue
Sunday Masses: 8a, 10:30a, 6p
St. Joseph Abbey Church
You’ll be heading across the lake to Covington to check out the abbey. The abbey has been on the North Shore since 1889. The first Benedictine monks were invited here from an abbey in Indiana to form a seminary college.
Now, the college isn’t the only the monks have going on. They keep bees, build caskets, host camps in the summer, and host the Abbey Youth Fest for thousands of high schoolers from across Louisiana and other nearby states– a day full of praise and worship.
They’re still recovering from the March 2016 floods when the Bogue Falaya spilled over its banks. The abbey says that the damage from the flooding is worse than the damage received in Hurricane Katrina. 31 buildings were damaged and total losses could top $30 million. But the monks remain, and working and praying as their tradition dictates.
Sunday masses are once again open to the public, so if you find yourself wanting to head north, swing by.
Address: 75376 River Road, St. Benedict, La. 70457
Sunday Masses: 7:30a, 11a
