Serving Uptown New Orleans since 1859.
St. George of Lydda
Tradition tells us George of Lydda was a solider in the Roman army, martyred after refusing to recant his Christian Faith.
The most well known story of St. George comes from The Golden Legend; or, Lives of the Saints, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, named “Saint George and the Dragon.” Our most famous stained glass depicts this.
1859 The Beginning
In 1859, the Louisiana Diocese established the Emmanuel mission on the corner of Berlin (now General Pershing) and Magazine streets which met in the Town Hall of what was then called Jefferson City. The congregation was incorporated as a parish, and Louisiana’s first Episcopal Bishop, Leonidas Polk, confirmed members before becoming a General in the Confederate Army.
1871 Divided, Reunited
In 1871, the congregation divided with the formation of St. Mark’s church which met at St. Charles and Valence. The two congregations consolidated again in 1874 at this location that served the parish until the present St. George’s was built in 1899. Part of the wood from the old church was used to construct the rectory, which is still in use today
1969 St. George’s School
As an expression of its mission to reach out into the community, church leaders founded St. George’s Episcopal School in 1969. The school’s first classes met in the church undercroft. Today, the children of St. George’s School meet in their own school buildings on the School’s Camp street campus. One of the school buildings is on the site of the original Emmanuel meeting site.
1973 LGBTQ+ Community
In 1973, The Rev’d William P. Richardson held a small prayer service for the 32 victims of arson at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter. Afterwards, he was admonished by the Right Rev’d Iverson B. Noland, the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, and by some members of his Vestry. He continued to advocate for the LGBT community in the New Orleans community and the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, calling on the church to welcome lesbians and gay men. His activism earned him a place of civic recognition in the community.
