Be a part of the history and cultural heritage of the Catholic Church and the city of New Orleans. Come visit the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley and once home to the Ursuline Nuns as a convent, orphanage, and school for girls. To schedule a field trip for your school call 504-503-0343.
"Eternal Life" showcases the uniqueness and diversity of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries, mourning traditions, burial practices, and the veneration of relics. This exhibit highlights exquisite reliquaries, personal effects from deceased Archbishops, archaeological artifacts from St. Peter Street Cemetery, a photographic essay about All Saints’ Day, and it traces the Gallier Family through church records.
History of Catholicism in New Orleans from 1718 to 2018 with special emphasis on the St. Louis Cathedral Church
History of the Old Ursuline Convent – oldest building in the Mississippi Valley – built in 1745
History of the landing of the Ursulines Sisters in New Orleans and their contribution to New Orleans education
St. Mary’s Chapel built in 1845 for Archbishop Antoine Blanc
1745 drawing of the St. Louis Church
Architectural and historic drawings of the church and its renovations
Silver communion set created by Anthony Rasch circa 1840s, engraved with "Church of St. Louis"
Explore the architecture of the building and see the staircase from the 1734 convent.
Leave a petition to Our Lady in the chapel
Learn about the different classes of relics
Explore All Saints' Day traditions, and learn how to properly clean cemetery tablets and tombs