Norman's New Orleans and Environs Part 5

An edifice strongly characteristic of our city, and well calculated to cause reflection on the many and sudden changes of dynasty to which New Orleans has been subjected. This building, of a quaint old style of architecture, was erected, according to a Spanish inscription on a marble tablet in the middle of the facade, in 1787, during the reign of Carlos III, (Don Estevan Miro being governor of the province,) by Don Andre Almonaster Y Roxas. It is exceedingly plain and unpretending in its exterior, and chiefly interesting from its a.s.sociations, and extremely antiquated appearance.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHRIST CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL.)]

CHRIST CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL)

A fine Ionic building, situated on Ca.n.a.l, at the corner of Bourbon street, was designed by Gallier and Dakin, architects, and its erection begun in the autumn of 1835, under the direction of Mr. D. H.

Toogood. It was completed in the summer of 1837, and consecrated during the same year. The cost of the edifice was about $70,000. The form of the ceiling, being a flat dome, is much admired. The Rev. Dr.

Hawkes is pastor of this church.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL)

This is a neat frame structure, located on the corner of Camp and Bartholomew streets. The Rev. Mr. Goodrich officiates in this church.

THE ANNUNCIATION CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL)

Is to occupy a conspicuous place near Annunciation Square. The location was selected with good taste, both in regard to the beauty of the position, and to the great improvements of the neighborhood. The church is to be placed under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr.

Prescot.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH]

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Is an edifice of the Grecian Doric order, finely situated, fronting on Lafayette square--the handsomest public ground in the city. The bas.e.m.e.nt story is of granite; the superstructure being brick, plastered to imitate stone. The building was commenced in November, 1834, and opened for public wors.h.i.+p in July, of the following year. It was finished by subscription, at a cost of $55,000. In 1844, this building was considerably enlarged. In the court, in front, a neat obelisk has been erected, as a monument to the memory of the Rev.

Sylvester Larned, first Presbyterian pastor of this city, who died 31st August, 1820, at the early age of 24, much and deservedly regretted. Rev. Mr. Scott, is the present pastor.

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

This is a plain and unpretending structure, on the corner of Calliope and Phytanee streets; and like its near neighbor, St. Paul's, evidently erected more for utility than for external display. It is a neat frame building, with only sufficient ornament to give to it the appearance of a place of public wors.h.i.+p. Rev. Mr. Stanton is the pastor.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Is an edifice of brick, in the plain Gothic style of architecture. It was erected in 1817, on St. Charles street at the corner of Gravier, where formerly stood the store-houses of the Jesuits, and upon a part of the foundations of those buildings. Rev. Mr. Clapp, is the pastor.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH]

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

At the corner of Poydras and Carondelet streets, is of the Grecian Doric order, the details of which are copied from the temple of Theseus, at Athens. The height of the steeple is 170 feet from the side walk. This edifice was erected in the year 1836-7, by Messrs.

Dakin, and Dakin, architects, at an expense of $50,000. Rev. Mr.

Nicholson officiating as pastor.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Hinton.

WESLEYAN CHAPEL

This is a plain frame building, on St. Paul near Poydras street, and is devoted to the colored portion of the community.

THE OLD URSULINE CONVENT

Situated in Conde street, was completed by the French government, in 1733; and is therefore, probably, the most ancient edifice in Louisiana. The architecture is plain, being Tuscan composite, and the smallness of the windows, and the peculiar form of the roof and chimneys, together with the general venerable and time worn aspect of the building, render it, independent of its history, an object of interest to both citizens and strangers.

It was occupied by the Ursuline nuns for nearly a century; and only abandoned by them, when, on account of the great rise in the value of real estate around it, they disposed of a part of their property, and removed, in 1824, to the new convent, two miles below the city. It was then used by the state legislature, as a place for their sessions, until their present accommodations were prepared for their reception, in 1834. Since that period it has been inhabited by the Right Rev.

Bishop Blanc, and several other of the higher clergy of the diocess.

From its great solidity of construction, there is no reason to doubt but that it may stand many years longer, as a monument of "the olden times."

THE NEW CONVENT

This richly endowed establishment was founded in 1826, and the chapel was completed in 1829. The main building is about 100 feet long, of brick, two stories high, and has two wings, running from the rear, at each end. It is princ.i.p.ally occupied as a seminary for the education of young ladies. The average price for instruction and board is $200 per annum. The number of scholars at present is 120. On a line with this building is the nunnery, containing 40 sisters of the Ursuline order. Annexed to the latter edifice is the chapel, a remarkably neat and plain structure. Immediately in front of the latter building is the residence of the priests. There are eighty acres of land, three of which are enclosed and beautifully embellished. The position is pleasant and healthy. It fronts upon the river, two miles below the city, and embraces a charming view of the Mississippi.

THE CARMELITE CONVENT

Is a frame building, which stands upon ground adjoining the church of St. Augustine, and is occupied by the nuns of this order. They have an excellent school under their care, divided into two apartments--one of which is appropriated to white and the other to free colored children, many of the latter cla.s.s, have wealthy parents, and pay a high price for their education.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CYPRESS GROVE CEMETERY]

THE CYPRESS GROVE CEMETERY

This resting place for the dead is about four miles from the centre of the city upon the right of the upper Sh.e.l.l Road, that leads to lake Pontchartrain, and occupies a ridge, which is supposed once to have been the embankment of the Mississippi.

The plat of ground devoted to the cemetery, measures 244 by 2700 feet.

The spot was purchased and improved at an expense of $35,000, by the Firemen's Charitable a.s.sociation. The revenue that arises from interments is exclusively devoted to benevolent purposes--all the business of the a.s.sociation being conducted by its members without any compensation. The front wall and lodges are built in pure Egyptian style, and cost $8,000. The grounds are divided into avenues, and arranged and embellished with an effect appropriate to the solemn a.s.sociations of the place.

The simple and striking motto over the entrance is selected from Pierpont:--

"Here to thy bosom, mother earth, Take back in peace, what thou hast given; And, all that is of heavenly birth, O G.o.d, in peace recall to heaven."

Some of the tombs are very richly wrought--and, one in particular, erected by a fire company, a memento to a brother who was killed in the performance of his duty, is a specimen of superior skill and workmans.h.i.+p. The nature of the soil admits graves to be sunk six feet without approaching water. They are laid with brick and securely cemented. The tombs above ground (here called ovens, which they somewhat resemble) are faced with marble, built in the best manner.

There are four hundred of them, which cost an average of twenty-five dollars each. These are sold at fifty dollars, and the surplus goes into the funds of the society, for charitable purposes.

A central avenue, twenty-eight feet in width, called Live Oak Avenue, traverses the whole length of the ground. Cedar and Magnolia avenues, on either side of this, are each twenty feet wide. Next the outer walls, are those named Cypress and Willow, of eighteen feet each. At a distance of every two hundred feet, are transverse avenues. The s.p.a.ces between these are reserved for the erection of tombs, and may be purchased at a stipulated price, according to the location. These privileges are sold in fee for ever, and the t.i.tle is held sacred in the eye of the law.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES