Religion, History, Architecture, Oh My! (Outer Journey)

Ursuline Convent

St. Louis Cathedral

Religion, History, and Architecture are three of the main components that make up New Orleans. The Ursuline Convent has a still presence as soon as you walk into the court yard leading up to the convent. The landscape is lush, green, and manicured that adds simplicity to the ambiance. Inside the convent, floors are made of orange/red hues of brick and walls are a creamy off white color which again stays consistent with nuns having more of a simplistic lifestyle. The foyer displays a clock that came over on a French ship in 1727. One attribute that I thought was interesting were the beams in the center room and knowing that each beam was made out of one cypress tree. The parish alter was elegantly sculpted with a blue ceiling and walls that were broken up with creamy off white bands with hints of gold. The ceiling over the sanctuary is made out of wood that has impeccable detail even still to this day. Coming out of the sanctuary there is a hall that pays homage to parishioners by displaying various metals that could have been achieved. After the convent tour we walked down Chartres Street to St. Louis Cathedral. The three story church built back in 1850 has an all-white exterior with three steeples. Inside the church, all three floors pay homage to the parishes/districts in New Orleans, past Archbishops, and the saints with seals/portraits on the ceiling. The one aspect of the cathedral I thought was interesting was seeing the original shell that was used to project the priest’s voice. Made out of mahogany wood, the podium has hand carved details that add subtle elegance to the alter. It is safe to say that no matter where you go in The French Quarter you will see a combination of all three components (religion, history, and architecture)