Immaculate Conception Jesuits

First let me start by saying this church is absolutely stunning and I’d get married here again and deal with the awful director just to get married in this church, my husband on the other would not. Julie Vanderbrook, the church’s director was absolutely awful to work with. When booking this church know that if you are not a parishioner you will «need to find your own priest.» Ok, understandable. They do many weddings and the priest would never catch a break, but being an out of town bride I asked Ms. Vanderbrook if she had a list of priests in the area that may be able to officiate our ceremony. Her response was «No, I guess you’ll have to find someone who lives here to help you out.»
The night of the rehearsal I arrived 10 minutes late, yes I understand that was rude, but she told my mother «oh well, we are starting without her!» It was a stressful time with many moving parts and I apologized. She ran through the rehearsal one time and expected everyone to get it. We were out of there in 20 minutes. No one really knew what they were supposed to do. She didn’t explain herself well and we all felt very rushed.
The day of the wedding she was an absolute nightmare. Our wedding started at 7:00 and guests who arrived at 6:55 were told, by Ms. Vanderbrook, «You are late!». My husband wanted to escort his sister down the aisle and at 6:40 she started rushing him telling him to go go go, finally he had to look at her and say, no one is even here yet, I’m not walking her down. So she continued to nag and he ignored her. Now what really sent me over the edge was how I found out she treated my mother. It was 6:45 and because the church doesn’t have a bridal room we had to get a room at the hotel across the street and since we were so rushed through the rehearsal and I was a nervous bride I didn’t realize I was supposed to be there at 6:45 and to be completely honest, I didn’t want to be standing around while people filed in and see me in my dress before I walked down the aisle. My bridesmaids and I arrived at 6:58. At 6:45 this woman had my mother in TEARS. She was incessantly asking my mother, «Where is your daughter?! Where is your daughter?! She is so rude!» There were many of instances that she was rude to guests and family members but I’d be writing for days.
A wedding is already stressful enough and all Ms. Vanderbrook did was add to the stress and really, escalate it. I do understand that it is New Orleans and you deal with people who may not be considerate but no one in our party was rude, drunk, loud, etc. There was absolutely no reason for this woman to act the way she did. I honestly don’t understand why she is the director of weddings at Immaculate Conception. We fully intend to write a letter to the priest and bishop to let them know how she is running the weddings at this church. For the amount of money you pay to get married there, you should not be treated like garbage.

Attended a weeding and was very disappointed. The Church is very pretty but the director or whatever the person is who runs the weddings quite literally pushed us out the door when the allotted time was up. The photographer was also trying to grab a few extra pictures after all the wedding guests left but even she was rushed out and told she couldn’t take any more pictures. Overall a very disappointing experience in a Catholic church you would expect would treat it’s guests better.

Beautiful Moorish architecture. The bad thing is parking, there isn’t any. It would be very convenient for Mass, if you stayed at the hotel across he street. I have walked alone all in that area and was a little afraid and ready to run when people approached me.

Beautiful and very welcoming. This is the church to attend if you are a visitor in the area.
The homily was just the right length and had a wonderful message. We went to the 8am mass and there wasn’t any music but the service was revetment and touching.

Another beautiful old Catholic church in New Orleans. The Immaculate Conception Jesuits church is located just off Canal Street on the American side (which is upriver to the French Quarter), across from the renovated Roosevelt Hotel. We were here for a wedding, which is how I usually get to discover the many unique churches that dot the old city areas. The interior ambiance did not disappoint for the wedding ceremony. I’m sure the bride had to schedule the church long in advance of the date. Very European with the multitudes of statues in their niches, candles burning, and the paintings/​frescoes that adorn the walls. It is obvious there is a lot of care for the old building.

During my visit to New Orleans, I was staying the the Roosevelt Hotel across the street. The first day I checked in I noticed the church and decided I would sneak a peak. I’m so glad I did. The façade itself is impressive and beautiful with its rising twin towers. Inside its a classic Roman Catholic church, statues, candles, serenity. I took a look around, took many pictures, and then just sat and enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the space. If you’re Catholic, into history, or just in general appreciate aesthetics, this church won’t disappoint.

Beautiful church. I only hope to get married here but…
The parking sucks and it’s ALWAYS too cold.
Other than that, it’s a great place to get in touch with you spiritual side!

This is a beautiful old church right off of Canal Street. It has these wonderful pews made of wood and iron and impressive stained glass windows. There are several Mass times and refreshments after most Sunday services if you would like to grab coffee, touch bases with a priest, or chat up members and visitors.
Besides its beauty, it has many needed ministries for the community. The Harry Tompson Center helps the poor and homeless (
) with the basic needs we take for granted. They even help with mental and legal services. The church is involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society which offers rental and utility assistance. It has its own tuition-​free school for at-​risk kids (
) and helps support Café Reconcile (
) founded by Father Tompson and others. It «is a nonprofit organization providing at-​risk youth (16 – 22) with opportunities to learn life, interpersonal, and work skills for success.» It is a culinary training program and is open for lunch service to the public. You can even volunteer online for many of these places (
) before your visit!
The church also conducts tours the last Saturday of each month (except December) at 3pm if you are interested in hearing about its interesting history (
) such as when the church had to be completely disassembled and rebuilt, brick by brick, because of another building’s construction.