Could a church have two lives? Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Orleans seems to have lived through at least three. The history of Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church began in the heart of New Orleans in 1910. It was a time of rapid growth for the city. Many Missouri Synod Lutherans were drawn to the North Broad-Esplanada area. The congregation thrived for almost a century. Sadly, dwindling membership led to its closure in 2003. However, like a phoenix rising, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church was reborn just two years later as Mount Calvary Fellowship. This allowed the congregation to mark a century of existence in 2005. The church then came under the leadership of Reverend Jean Joseph, becoming the JAH Center for Positive Change, its current identity. This remarkable building holds more than just religious significance. It houses a magnificent piece of New Orleans’ musical history: a Wicks theatre organ, Opus 433. This organ has its own story to tell. Originally built in 1922 for the Lyric Theater, it once provided accompaniment for vaudeville acts. Legends like Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong even graced the Lyric’s stage, their voices blending with the organ’s melodies. When the Lyric Theater closed, the organ found a new home at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, its music continuing to resonate within the sacred walls. Today, beautifully restored, the Wicks organ serves as a powerful reminder of the building’s vibrant past and its enduring connection to the soul of New Orleans.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to