Third Presbyterian Church

What secrets lay hidden behind those weathered walls? Today, we stand before the imposing structure that was once the Third Presbyterian Church of New Orleans. Situated on Esplanade Avenue, this church witnessed over 150 years of New Orleans’ vibrant history before its closure in 2004. The Third Presbyterian Church’s story begins much earlier, however, amidst the burgeoning city of the 1800s. A group of devout Christian workers, originally destined for Texas, found their calling in New Orleans. They established a Sabbath school in the city’s Third District. This humble beginning, driven by faith and dedication, laid the groundwork for what would become a prominent religious institution. The congregation diligently relocated their meeting place, first to Chartres Street and then to 181 Esplanade Avenue, continuously growing in number and spirit. Finally, in 1847, their dedication bore fruit with the official establishment of the Third Presbyterian Church of New Orleans. The building we see today, constructed in 1924, replaced the previous one. A testament to their faith, it cost a substantial $52,000. The church even housed a piece of musical history: a grand M. P. Moller pipe organ dating back to 1910. This magnificent instrument, a generous donation from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, filled the sanctuary with its resonant melodies for decades. Though the church held its final service in 2004, its legacy endures. The Third Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of faith and community that defines New Orleans.