St. Louis Cathedral

State: Louisiana. Type: Roman Catholic cathedral-basilica facing Jackson Square in the French Quarter, New Orleans. Seat of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States. Current building's cornerstone laid 1789, completed 1794; designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Address near 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA. Visiting is free; the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2025.

St. Louis Cathedral is the third church to stand on its site facing Jackson Square in the French Quarter, with the first wooden church built in 1718, the year after New Orleans was founded. A brick-and-timber second church, completed in 1727, was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of March 21, 1788; the current structure's cornerstone was laid in 1789 and the building was completed in 1794 during the Spanish colonial period. It was elevated to cathedral rank in 1793 and underwent major reconstruction between 1849 and 1850, after which very little of the original Spanish colonial structure survived, followed by further renovation in 2004. Pope Paul VI designated it a minor basilica in 1964, and Pope John Paul II visited in 1987. The cathedral blends Spanish Colonial and French Neo-Gothic architectural elements and is instantly recognizable by its three spires overlooking Jackson Square. It remains the seat of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and an active place of worship, though the Archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2025.

The cathedral fronts Jackson Square in the French Quarter, near 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, an easy walk from the Mississippi riverfront and Audubon Aquarium.

New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters; because the cathedral is an indoor site, weather mainly affects the experience of the surrounding outdoor Jackson Square rather than the visit itself.

Spring and fall bring more comfortable temperatures for exploring Jackson Square and the wider French Quarter around the cathedral; visiting outside of scheduled Masses gives more freedom to view the interior at leisure.

The site has held three churches since New Orleans' founding: a 1718 wooden church, a 1725-1788 brick-and-timber church destroyed in the 1788 fire, and the current building, whose cornerstone was laid in 1789 and which was completed in 1794 under Spanish rule. It was elevated to cathedral status in 1793. A central tower with a clock and bell was added in 1819 by architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The cathedral was substantially reconstructed between 1849 and 1850, leaving little of the earlier Spanish colonial fabric intact. In 1909 a dynamite bombing damaged windows and galleries. Pope Paul VI designated the cathedral a minor basilica in 1964, and Pope John Paul II visited in 1987. It was renovated again in 2004, and Hurricane Katrina damaged its roof and pipe organ in 2005. In November 2025 the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Visitors can step inside to view the cathedral's nave, altar and stained glass, join a scheduled Mass, or take a guided tour arranged in advance for larger groups; many combine a visit with walking the rest of Jackson Square and the surrounding French Quarter.

Inside, the cathedral's Spanish Colonial and French Neo-Gothic interior, its three-spire exterior facing Jackson Square, and its historic pipe organ are the main draws; Jackson Square itself, with its statue of Andrew Jackson and surrounding historic buildings, is effectively part of the same visit.

The cathedral sits in the heart of the French Quarter, walkable from most French Quarter and CBD hotels and close to the Mississippi riverfront; Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is the nearest major airport, with taxi, rideshare or shuttle service into downtown.

As of research, general visiting hours run roughly 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., though hours may vary by day; daily weekday Mass is at 12:05 p.m., Saturday Mass at 5 p.m., and Sunday Masses at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Confirm current hours and Mass times on stlouiscathedral.org before visiting, since the official site could not be directly fetched during this research.

General visiting is free, as it is an active place of worship; large groups can arrange guided tours in advance, which may carry their own scheduling requirements. No general admission fee was found in research.

Most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes viewing the interior, longer if attending a Mass or a guided tour.

The cathedral sits in the French Quarter, one of the densest hotel districts in New Orleans, with everything from historic guesthouses to larger hotels within a short walk, and additional options a short distance away in the Central Business District.

Jackson Square and the surrounding French Quarter streets are lined with cafes and restaurants, including well-known beignet-and-coffee spots near the square, alongside a wide range of Creole and Cajun dining options throughout the Quarter.

Jackson Square directly surrounds the cathedral; the Mississippi riverfront and Woldenberg Park, along with Audubon Aquarium, are a short walk away, as is the wider French Quarter.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is the primary air gateway; within downtown, the RTA streetcar and bus network and the French Quarter's walkable layout make a car unnecessary for most visitors staying nearby.

As with any dense tourist area, keep valuables secure in the busy square outside; inside the cathedral, dress and behavior expectations are typical of an active church, especially during Mass. For any emergency, dial 911.

Modest attire is appropriate for an active place of worship, and a light layer can help since the interior may be cooler than the humid outdoor French Quarter air.

Calling ahead for group tour arrangements is recommended given the cathedral's active Mass schedule; visiting outside of Mass times allows a quieter look at the interior, and pairing the visit with the rest of Jackson Square makes for an efficient French Quarter stop.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For cathedral tour inquiries, research found a listed contact number of 800-920-3904; confirm current contact details on stlouiscathedral.org.

St. Louis Cathedral - https://stlouiscathedral.org/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.