Friends of St Alphonsus

St. Alphonsus is a magnificent church located in the Irish Channel of New Orleans, Louisiana. It has captured the admiration of all who have entered its sacred walls for over 167 years. Now no longer functioning as a church, this Arts and Cultural Center stands as a testament to a legacy of artistic tradition in southeast Louisiana.  The ceiling above boasts fresco work from notable Italian artists such as Canova, Rossi, and Perachi.


The Friends of St. Alphonsus (FOSA) was formed in 1990 after a small group of concerned citizens entered the abandoned church to view the splendid F. X. Zettler stained glass windows (c. 1870).  Noting the serious deterioration and benign neglect of this magnificent and beautiful historic structure, Blanche Comiskey and Susan Levy successfully petitioned the Archdiocese of New Orleans to lease the building to the newly formed FOSA.  In 1996, through these efforts, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark helping to ensure its survival.


Efforts are still continuing to preserve the church with small music venues taking place for donations during Quarantine of 2020, and will be booking more concerts soon. However, even with passionate professionals and volunteers becoming involved in the architectural conservation of the church, funding is severely limited and each year conditions worsen for the church.

The prominent stained glass, such a focal point, and love for many visitors are decaying at a rapid rate. Much of the leading in the panes has failed, and with the canes going they will need serious funding to continue their journey. A full restoration of each imposing set will need to be taken on (no small feat) but would be pursued by master stained glass conservator Cindy Courage. 


Termite damage and a leaking ceiling have rendered the structural integrity of the church at risk, as well as caused a continuous deterioration for the incredible ceiling and fresco work which has begun to decay and crumble. Unfortunately, St. Alphonsus suffered significant damage during the 2021 Hurricane Ida, making our mission more important than ever. While we apply for funding, extra efforts to seek help from outside efforts are much appreciated. 

Local art professionals such as Elise Grenier, a notable international conservator, would love to restore the ceiling and can secure funding for her work if we can stop the issues that are threatening to continue decaying the church and the art further. 


As the chair of the art committee at St. Alphonsus, as well as a Historic Preservationist, I am asking for funding and looking to crowdfunding sources while we wait for more grant opportunities in the future. This restoration will take years to complete, but this amount I am asking for will help ensure that the church stays standing so we can continue onward with our work. 

The rehabilitation of a church of this beauty and magnitude could truly shine in the Irish Channel, where art markets, shows, ballets, and concerts could serve the community and give life to the empty church once more. 

For more information on our mission, you can visit https://www.friendsofstalphonsus.org/about