St. Louis Cathedral

NEW ORLEANS - There are several stories of hauntings at St. Louis Cathedral. Some say the ghost of Pere Dagobert, pastor in the mid-1700s, is believed to silently walk through the isles. After worship, it has been reported guests have witnessed his spirit walking with his head lowered through the cathedral. Some say his spirit haunts the gardens while others claim to see his shadow through the beautiful stained glass windows.

Facing Jackson Square and flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the equally historic Presbytere on the other, St. Louis Cathedral is among the tallest and most imposing structures in the French Quarter. It has been seen in many movies, TV shows and other visual presentations as it is famous as a local and international architectural icon.

As the mother church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, it is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. Originally built in 1727, it was dedicated to King Louis IX of France. In 1987, the cathedral witnessed the historic visit of Pope John Paul II and the plaza directly in front of the church was renamed in the pope’s honor. Shortly afterward the status of the Cathedral was upgraded to a Basilica.

The towering center spire of St. Louis Cathedral, complimented by two smaller spires on each side and a perfectly symmetrical façade opening up to a pedestrians-only plaza has been a favorite subject for painters, photographers and filmmakers for many years.

Viewed from Jackson Square, with the statue of Andrew Jackson in the foreground, this is possibly the single visual image most closely associated with New Orleans.

Although it is a Catholic house of worship, the rich history and beautiful design of St. Louis Cathedral appeals to visitors of all faiths and nationalities. The interior is open for self-guided tours when masses and other functions such as weddings or funerals are not going on. The stained glass windows and paintings in the church are extraordinary works of art, as is the Rococo-style, gilded altar that graces the front of the church.

It seems the ghost of Pere Antoine is most active around the Holiday seasons.