Tremé / Lafitte in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Saint Augustine Church, New Orleans

— Louisiana African American Heritage Trail —

Saint Augustine Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

1. Saint Augustine Church Marker

Inscription.
In 1841, this parish was established for the inhabitants of Faubourg Tremé. The joint beneficence of Bishop Antoine Blanc and the Ursuline nuns made possible acquisition of property and erection of the church. Until 1925, the buildings of the Collége d’Orléans and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Mount Carmel stood in this square. In 1842, the Sisters of the Holy Family began their apostolate for Blacks within this parish under the guidance of Abbé Étienne Rousselon, founding pastor. Alexandre P. Tureaud, attorney and noted Louisiana civil rights leader, was baptized here April 2, 1899. In 1963, priests of the Society of the Divine Word began serving the parish.

Erected by Archdiocesan Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1900.

Location. 29° 57.907′ N, 90° 3.963′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Tremé / Lafitte. Marker is on St. Claude Avenue south of Governor Nicholls Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in the Tremé district, on the wall at the main entrance to the church on St. Claude Street. It is south of I-10, two

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blocks northeast of Louis Armstrong Park, and one block northwest of No. Rampart Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1210 Governor Nicholls Street, New Orleans LA 70116, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tomb of the Unknown Slave (within shouting distance of this marker); Dupaquier House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carmelite Chapel of St. Joseph and St. Teresa and the Carmelite Monastery (about 500 feet away); Carmelite Monastery (about 600 feet away); St. Aloysius College (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Faerie Playhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Italian Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); J&M Recording Studio (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Also see . . .
1. French Creoles.Com: St Augustine R.C. Church. (Submitted on August 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. St. Augustine Church (New Orleans). "... Because of substantial property losses in the city after Hurricane Katrina and decline in population, the diocese decided to close St. Augustine Church, despite the fact that it had been providing extensive community support. Parishioners asked hurricane relief volunteers for help in a protest. They barricaded themselves in the church's rectory to demonstrate against closure. After two weeks, parishioners and church officials agreed on a compromise. The church was allowed to remain open after presenting a plan of action to address critical areas, including congregational

Saint Augustine Church, New Orleans Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 17, 2010

2. Saint Augustine Church, New Orleans Marker

growth, fundraising and management improvements. The archdiocese would review its status after 18 months. A documentary film about the protest entitled Shake the Devil Off increased publicity for the church's efforts to survive. In May 2008 St. Augustine Church received a $75,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express to aid in needed renovations to the historic parish hall, a center of community services. Enhanced use of the parish hall for community services was integral to the church's plans for the future. In March 2009, St. Augustine Church announced that due to its progress, the archdiocese had decided it would not be closed and had taken the church off probation." (Submitted on August 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Roman Catholic Church; Tomb of the Unknown Slave; Creoles.

Saint Augustine Church, view from Gov. Nickolls Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 17, 2010

3. Saint Augustine Church, view from Gov. Nickolls Street

The Tomb of the Unknown Slave memorial visible against the church wall, right middle.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,372 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.