Saint Mary's Catholic Church

The steeple of Saint Mary's Church rises above the intersection of Chartres and Conti streets with a crisp, white clock tower that dates back to the eighteen forties. This building served as the primary place of worship for the French-speaking population of New Orleans after the original parish church burned down. In eighteen forty-five, a fire destroyed the previous wooden structure, and this stone replacement was built to secure the identity of the congregation. The clock still ticks, marking time for the neighborhood.