Christian symbols were abound on Gothic and Romanesque style churches in New Orleans in the late 1800s.  Unfortunately, time, storms, and renovations have destroyed many of those churches.  Still, New Orleans is fortunate to have several churches with Medieval influence remain on its east and west banks.  The following pages highlight those fascinating pieces of architecture on the West Bank.
 

Holy Name of Mary Church
 

Holy Name of Mary Church is located at 500 Eliza St. in Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA (504) 362-5511. The church, built in 1928, uses decorated Gothic style.  The tracery, visible through the stained-glass window, shows distinct geometrical forms. Buttresses brace the church tower and the decorative arrows point heaven-ward.

 

Notice that the tracery on the alter rail shows the open trefoil pattern, which is often used to symbolize the holy trinity. The alter rail also shows the use of six-sided images.  In Christian symbols, the number six represents divine power, perfection, and creation.

 

The interior of the church is reminscent of gothic structure seen in the abbey of St. Denis, France, and in the image of David Macaulay's imaginary cathedral of Chutreaux.

Stained glass windows  in the church. Notice also the relief  on the stations of the cross.

 
 

The baptismal fount continues the use of the symbolism associated with the number six, rather than the traditional octagon in Medieval churches. Rather than the use of the trefoil, notice that the tracery (on the right) also is six-sided.

 

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