Latest news with #St.LouisCathedral
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Major renovations underway at NOLA's St. Louis Cathedral, how you can help
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The St. Louis Cathedral has been the city's center of worship for over 280 years, but the current building has stood for almost 175 years. That building now needs special care. WGNO's LBJ and Photographer Jeff Kent got a chance to document the work being done and what it will cost to save this historic landmark. New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson explained, 'For many, many years it was just neglected. I mean when you go in the building initially it looks beautiful. But if you look a little closer, you could see the plaster coming down, and the art work is not as polished as it was.' Benson is a longtime parishioner of the cathedral and she's leading the effort to restore this national treasure, where the damage to the structure has mostly been caused by our city's location in the Southern U.S. and the climate we live in. 'It's the combination of heat, water, sometimes we get extreme cold and then when air conditioning inside the cathedral meets that hot humid air outside all kinds of bad things happen near the entryway. So weather and occasional hurricanes, that's a problem. This is a common problem on any older building in the French Quarter and elsewhere, but it's water intrusion from the outside,' said Executive Director of the Catholic Cultural Center Chris Wiseman. The work has already begun and it's expected to take three to four years. The team is also taking extra care with the damaged art that adorns the walls and ceilings of the cathedral. 'This is canvas, painted and placed on there so you'll see later this summer we'll have scaffolding. We'll do some analysis to see what it will take to get that canvas off, restore it, and then put it back,' said Wiseman. The restoration planners also drew on an internationally famous cathedral renovation for their expertise. 'Mrs. Benson actually sent out two lead architects to Paris so they could talk to the people doing the Notre Dame renovation and learn some things,' according to Wiseman. At a cost of over $45 million to repair and restore the exterior and interior, Benson has been generous in her giving and solicited donations from around the world. But there is also an appeal to locals who hold the church dear and want to see it preserved. 'Everybody needs to have and invested interest in this and if they do, then they know they were a part of it and we get a lot of checks for small amounts which is very touching because it shows me that these people really care,' said Benson. There are also plans for a new, larger gift shop where the rectory now resides, and two new restrooms. To donate toward the St. Louisiana Cathedral renovation, visit the Our City, Our Cathedral renovations underway at NOLA's St. Louis Cathedral, how you can help Will Chrysler's next 100 years be electrified? Hamlin gets 3rd 2025 win at Michigan Told he'd never talk, NOLA 6-year-old now starts conversation at Xavier University White House dismisses Pride Month as WorldPride gathers in Washington Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why this New Orleans public square is a top-2 spot in America, USA Today says
USA Today has released its Reader's Choice Awards results for the ten best public squares, and one public square in Louisiana came in second place. Public squares are a staple within many U.S. cities, and are often a keystone within communities. Public squares can serve as stages for events and activities, from farmers' and flea markets to sites of festivals and gatherings. Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana was named the second best public square on USA Today's list of the "10 Best Public Squares." Jackson Square is a historic park, and National Landmark, located within the French Quarter of New Orleans. This public square is highly recognizable by the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, which is who the square is named after, located in the square's center. The historic St. Louis Cathedral is also a part of the square's iconic backdrop. Jackson Square, originally called the Place d'Armes or Plaza de Armas, was built by French engineers in 1721 within the heart of New Orleans' military activities, according to the Historic New Orleans Collection. The square was renamed in 1851, after General Andrew Jackson defended the city of New Orleans during the War of 1812. 1. Campus Martius Park: Detroit, Michigan 2. Jackson Square: New Orleans, Louisiana 3. Winterset Town Square: Winterset, Iowa 4. The Square: Oxford, Mississippi 5. Franklin Square: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 6. Capitol Square: Madison, Wisconsin 7. Fountain Square: Cincinnati, Ohio 8. Healdsburg Plaza: Healdsburg, California 9. Centerway Square: Corning, New York 10. Mission Plaza: San Luis Obispo, California Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Toda. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What's the best public square in Louisiana? Here's what USA Today says
