The Presbytère
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Marker Inscription
The Presbytère. Designed in 1791 by Gilberto Guillemard, Architect, as the rectory of the Church of St. Louis. Construction, begun through the generosity of Don Andres Almonester y Roxas, was halted when he died in 1798. The building remained unfinished, only one story high, until it was completed by the wardens of St. Louis Cathedral in 1813, Burlie and Guillot, builders. Never used for its intended purpose as a rectory or presbytère, the building was rented to the city by the Cathedral wardens for use as a court house and sold by them to the city in 1853. The rear wings were erected in 1940 by Gobet and Larochette, builders, Benjamin Buisson, architect. The Mansard roof was added in 1847 by Gobet and Amiel, builders. Transferred to the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. Renovated by the State of Louisiana in 1962-63 for the museum. Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission, 1964.
Erected by Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission
The Story
Designed in 1791 by architect Gilberto Guillemard as a rectory for the Church of St. Louis, the Presbytère rose only through the generosity of Don Andrés Almonester y Roxas and stalled at one story when he died in 1798. Finished by the cathedral wardens in 1813, it was never used as a rectory; instead it served as a courthouse and, from 1911, as part of the Louisiana State Museum.
Why it matters
Flanking Jackson Square, it is a cornerstone of the Spanish-colonial architectural ensemble at the heart of New Orleans and a keystone of Louisiana's state museum system.
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Related people
- · Gilberto Guillemard
- · Andrés Almonester y Roxas
Themes & tags
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