The Presbytère

The Presbytère was designed in 1791 by architect Gilberto Guillemard as the rectory of the Church of St. Louis. Construction began through the generosity of Don Andres Almonester y Roxas, but was halted when he died in 1796. The building remained unfinished and only one story high until it was completed in 1813 by the wardens of St. Louis Cathedral, with Gurlie and Guillot as builders. It was never used for its intended purpose as a rectory or presbytère, but was rented to the city by the cathedral wardens for use as a court house and was sold by them to the city in 1853. The rear wings were erected in 1840 by builders Gobet and Larochette, with Benjamin Buisson as architect. The mansard roof was added in 1847 by builders Gobet and Amiel. The building was transferred to the Louisiana State Museum in 1911 and renovated by the State of Louisiana in 1962-63 for the museum.

New Orleans, Louisiana · United States