Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

In 1890, Archbishop Janssens noticed a problem. The uptown New Orleans population was booming. Families faced a long trek to existing churches like Mater Dolorosa or St. Stephen’s, often navigating unpaved, muddy streets. Archbishop Janssens, seeing the need, established Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. Saint Francis of Assisi Church’s story begins right here, on land purchased for $5,360. The original parish boundaries stretched from Prytania Street to the river and Broadway to Leontine. The first services for Saint Francis of Assisi were held not in a grand building, but a repurposed double house near State and Laurel Streets. This humble abode served as church, school, and rectory. Can you imagine the first mass held here on November 23, 1890, just weeks after the parish’s creation? Soon, a new wing was added for ninety dollars to better accommodate the growing congregation. The first wooden church, dedicated in 1891, stood proudly on these grounds amidst orange and magnolia trees. Stained glass windows already graced the structure. A separate wood-frame school followed in 1892. As the community flourished, so did Saint Francis of Assisi. A new, larger wooden church replaced the first in 1899. Electric lights were a modern marvel, illuminating the statue of the Immaculate Conception within. By 1907, a brick schoolhouse opened its doors, a testament to the parish’s commitment to education. The present Saint Francis of Assisi Church, the magnificent structure before you, was completed in 1921. Designed by parishioner General Allison Owen, its brick and reinforced concrete presence speaks of permanence and grandeur. The church wasn’t fully adorned until 1930, when intricate plasterwork and woodwork brought the interior to life. Over the years, Saint Francis of Assisi Church has witnessed the changing landscape of New Orleans. From its humble beginnings in a double house to the majestic building it is today, it stands as a symbol of resilience and faith.