Right here, in the heart of the Treme neighborhood, stands Saint John the Baptist Church Number 3. This church is a beautiful sight to behold. Its golden onion-shaped steeple, gilded in 1963, is a landmark that can be seen from miles away. Saint John the Baptist is a historical church that has weathered storms and stood strong as a pillar of faith for the community. Irish immigrants who settled in the area in the 19th century built the church, which replaced a wooden structure dating back to 1851. Thomas Mulligan, an Irish contractor, built the church from bricks, using designs by architect Albert Diettel. Diettel drew inspiration from the onion-domed Hofkirche in Dresden, Germany, and designed a beautiful building with intricate details. The towering church was built with paired pilasters that show the internal space divisions. It also boasts paired Corinthian columns on the middle level of the tall tower. The church’s roof is covered in steel and concrete, replacing the original one that was struck by lightning in 1909.
The stained glass windows, however, were installed much later, in the 1880s, by prestigious Munich studios, Franz Mayer and F. X. Zettler. In the late 1850s, the construction of a school for the children of the parish was completed on the grounds. However, this building was demolished in the 1950s to make way for the Pontchartrain Expressway. Across the street, the rectory was renovated in 2016 to provide office space and an apartment. The parish itself was not always connected to the church. The parish was established in 1851, whereas the present building was dedicated in 1872. So the church was indeed not a part of its parish for many years, until both were officially united under one roof. The story of this church is one of survival and resilience, showcasing the unwavering strength of the people of the Treme neighborhood. The Saint John the Baptist Church Number 3 is a sight to behold, a timeless symbol of faith that holds echoes of the past and inspires hope for the future. A monument to the spirit of New Orleans, its golden steeple continues to shine, a beacon of perseverance in the heart of the city.