Church of the Immaculate Conception, New Orleans 1857 & 1929

The Main Altar

This altar was built in 1867 of gilded bronze and won first prize in the Paris Exposition of 1867. The altar was designed by James Freret of New Orleans, but was constructed in Lyons, France. There are more than 600 pieces to this altar. The Moorish domes on top of the altar as well as the miter-shaped arches all harmonize perfectly with the architecture of the entire building.

This is part two of The Church of the Immaculate Conception. In this post we will look more closely at details of this amazing church plus look at the Stained glass windows dating from the 1850's made in France by Nuns. Stained glass windows in America before 1860 was very rare as most churches had clear glass, frosted or etched glass and received real Stained glass windows during the Golden period for it from the 1870-1910 mostly from Germany. We will also look at the pews made of Cast-iron in Baltimore in the 1850's.   My church in New Orleans. Immaculate Conception church, locally known as Jesuit church. Was original built in 1857 in the Moorish and Byzantine styles with Venetian Gothic influence. I moved to New Orleans in my early teens and remember walking into this church for the first time. I was amazed as it was so different from other Historic Catholic church's and so beautiful and detailed. It was built during one of my favorite periods the 1850's. During the early 20th century the church suffered great damage due to skyscrapers being built all around it. The church was so well loved that it was taken apart and reconstructed back the way it was in the 1850's on a much stronger foundation during the 1920's. I was baptized in this beautiful church in my mid 20's. As you look at the photo's the church has a great deal of antebellum cast-iron all made in Baltimore, MD in the 1850's another city I lived in. The pews, confessionals & columns are cast-iron

Good Friday at my church

The Main Altar

The Main Altar

The Main Altar

This altar was built in 1867 of gilded bronze and won first prize in the Paris Exposition of 1867. The altar was designed by James Freret of New Orleans, but was constructed in Lyons, France. There are more than 600 pieces to this altar. The Moorish domes on top of the altar as well as the miter-shaped arches all harmonize perfectly with the architecture of the entire building.

Mary’s Niche

Mary’s statue is solid marble. She was hand carved by Denis Foyatier, who carved Our Lady out of the purest marble. The statue of Mary stands there in the serene simplicity like a mother beckoning her children to come closer and to be in peace. The statue is bathed in light with a beautiful gold background.

Four Saints Under Mary’s Niche


St. Ignatius - The founder of the order of the Society of Jesus

St. Aloysius – Patron of youth, devoted to the care of the sick

St. Stanislaus – A model and mirror of religious perfection

St. Francis Xavier – Great missionary to India and Japan

Altar of Sacrifice

A very recent addition is the smaller altar on which Mass is offered. The hand-carved design on the front of this smaller altar suggests the elements of the Holy Sacrifice: wheat, bread, grapes, and wine – all symbols of the Eucharist.

Altar of Sacrifice

A very recent addition is the smaller altar on which Mass is offered. The hand-carved design on the front of this smaller altar suggests the elements of the Holy Sacrifice: wheat, bread, grapes, and wine – all symbols of the Eucharist.

Church of the Immaculate Conception, New Orleans 1857 & 1929

Baptismal Fountain

Baptismal Fountain

The French Stained glass windows made by Nuns dating from the 1850's found at this church, depicting Jesuit saints, are among the finest in America, and there is much of it. Very few churches in America had real stained glass before 1860.

The French Stained glass windows made by Nuns dating from the 1850's found at this church, depicting Jesuit saints, are among the finest in America, and there is much of it. Very few churches in America had real stained glass before 1860.

Holy Water Fonts

The four angels holding the bowls of Holy Water were installed in 1933. Their facial features were modeled after the family members of Father Facundus G. Carbajal, S.J., who was pastor at the time.

Holy Water Fonts

The four angels holding the bowls of Holy Water were installed in 1933. Their facial features were modeled after the family members of Father Facundus G. Carbajal, S.J., who was pastor at the time.

Mosaic Shrines

The two mosaic shrines, which were made in Italy in 1930 at a cost of $5,000 each, are of our Heavenly Queen, Mary. One recalls the devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Perpetual Help story is the story of a picture of Mary and her Divine Son, our Redeemer, and of the devotion to them which developed around it. Jesus is seen as preoccupied even from his youngest days with the price he would one day pay in his Passion for our salvation, and Mary is seen as his compassionate Mother. The second is of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Our Lady of Immediate Aid, Our Lady of Instant Help). On two separate occasions prayerful appeal were made to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and both were granted. The first was to save the Ursuline Convent from a fire in 1788. The second was to beg for an American victory over the British during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

These represent various scenes and events in the early history of the Society of Jesus. Included in the work are the North American Martyrs.

These represent various scenes and events in the early history of the Society of Jesus. Included in the work are the North American Martyrs.

The height of the dome is one hundred and eight feet.

One of my favorite stained glass windows in the church is "Saint Joseph's Death". The Gospels say nothing about Saint Joseph's death. The exact time of his passing is shrouded in mystery.

Pews dateing from the 1850's were made in Baltimore, MD

The pews are of cast iron, adorned with many artistic designs which are symbolic of the scriptural references to Our Blessed Lady: the Morning Star, House of Gold, Gate of Heaven, the tree of life, the lily and Ark of the Covenant.

Pews dateing from the 1850's were made in Baltimore, MD

The pews are of cast iron, adorned with many artistic designs which are symbolic of the scriptural references to Our Blessed Lady: the Morning Star, House of Gold, Gate of Heaven, the tree of life, the lily and Ark of the Covenant.

Mosaic Shrines

The two mosaic shrines, which were made in Italy in 1930 at a cost of $5,000 each, are of our Heavenly Queen, Mary. One recalls the devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Perpetual Help story is the story of a picture of Mary and her Divine Son, our Redeemer, and of the devotion to them which developed around it. Jesus is seen as preoccupied even from his youngest days with the price he would one day pay in his Passion for our salvation, and Mary is seen as his compassionate Mother. The second is of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Our Lady of Immediate Aid, Our Lady of Instant Help). On two separate occasions prayerful appeal were made to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and both were granted. The first was to save the Ursuline Convent from a fire in 1788. The second was to beg for an American victory over the British during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

Baptismal Fountain

When baptized we become members of Christ’s Body and are adopted children of God. Every time we enter the church we bless ourselves with the Holy Water and make the sign of the Cross which signifies the sign of the Holy Trinity, a sign of salvation, a renewal of our baptismal promise to the Lord. Notice the mosaic icons. The three-leaf clover represents the trinity, the butterfly represents new life and the perpetual flame represents eternal life with God.

Baptismal Fountain

When baptized we become members of Christ’s Body and are adopted children of God. Every time we enter the church we bless ourselves with the Holy Water and make the sign of the Cross which signifies the sign of the Holy Trinity, a sign of salvation, a renewal of our baptismal promise to the Lord. Notice the mosaic icons. The three-leaf clover represents the trinity, the butterfly represents new life and the perpetual flame represents eternal life with God.

St.Patrick

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. At the age of 16 he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in a monastery. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity.

St.Patrick

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. At the age of 16 he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in a monastery. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity.