Today in New Orleans History
Home | January 1 | January 2 | January 6 | January 7 | January 8 | January 10 | January 11 | January 13 | January 14 | January 22 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28 | January 30 | January 31 | February 1 | February 8 | February 11 | February 12 | February 13 | February 14 | February 15 | February 16 | February 17 | February 18 | February 19 | February 20 | February 21 | February 22 | February 23 | February 24 | February 25 | February 26 | February 27 | February 28 | March 1 | March 2 | March 3 | March 4 | March 5 | March 6 | March 7 | March 8 | March 9 | March 10 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 | March 14 | March 15 | March 16 | March 17 | March 18 | March 19 | March 21 | May 5 | May 6 | May 7 | May 8 | May 9 | May 10 | May 11 | May 12 | May 13 | May 14 | May 15 | May 16 | May 17 | May 19 | May 20 | May 21 | May 22 | May 23 | May 24 | May 25 | May 26 | May 27 | May 28 | May 29 | May 30 | June 21 | June 22 | June 23 | June 24 | June 25 | June 27 | June 28 | June 29 | July 1 | July 2 | July 3 | July 4 | July 6 | July 9 | July 10 | July 11 | July 12 | August 7 | December 10 | December 18 | December 19 | December 20 | December 21 | December 22 | December 23 | December 24 | December 25 | December 26 | December 27 | December 28 | December 29 | December 30 | December 31
March 21

http://www.stphilipneri.org/files/cultcha/today/mar21goodfridayfire.jpg 

The first Church of St. Louis, dedicated in 1727, was the most impressive
building in the city. Over the door was a clock which struck the hours only. A
small belfry housed not one but two bells.

The permanent church was the pride of the community and the Capuchins. The first problem to surface once the church began services was not caused by faulty construction or the weather, but by the stormy faithful. As was customary at the time, armchairs were made available near the altar for the Governor and the Intendant. Two L-shaped pews were provided for members of the Superior Council and staff officers. All pews in the church were auctioned off to the highest bidders. This led to considerable rivalry amongst the parishioners, each wishing to obtain the most desirable seat. Just as the structure survived the damp, humid climate, the squabbling over pew space also passed.

In 1763, the harsh elements finally took their toll on the building. The holy structure had to be abandoned while necessary repairs were made. Once again, the people went to services in a temporary structure. This one was in the king’s warehouse on Dumaine Street. After many months the building was finally repaired and reopened.

On March 21, 1788, the first permanent Church of St. Louis was delivered a devastating blow. The catastrophe has gone down in New Orleans history books labeled “the Good Friday fire.” The church survived the ravages of time, the elements and squabbling over pew space, but not the flames of 1788. The entire French Quarter was literally levelled to the ground. In all, 856 out of 880 structures lay in ashes including the Church of St. Louis. This was the city’s greatest catastrophe.

During the six decades that the church stood, there worshipped within its walls French Governors Perier, Bienville, Kerlerec, and Spanish Governors Unzaga, Galvez, Miro and Manuel Gayoso. Gayoso died in New Orleans, and is the only colonial governor buried in Louisiana. His mortal remains were buried in the church.

For 61 years, the first structure housing the Church of St. Louis was the center of community life in south Louisiana. Babies, be they lowly or highborn, free, or slave, were baptized in the church. Couples were joined in holy matrimony. Through its doors, the mortal remains of the faithful were brought for the burial rites of Holy Mother Church.

From the beginning of life to preparation for eternal life, and all times in between, the Church of St. Louis served the faithful then as it does today.

Sources: Buddy Stall at http://clarionherald.org/20011219/stall.htm
& http://www.saintlouiscathedral.org/historye.htm