They Don't Build Them Like That Anymore

I hope everyone had a blessed Good Friday. Here in New Orleans, there is a tradition of visiting churches to pray on Good Friday.  New Orleans is an old city and like many old cities, it has a lot of Catholic churches in relatively close proximity to each other.  Pilgrims walk from church to church to visit nine churches, often getting to the last one in time for the 3:00 p.m. service.  I didn't do the walk, and I didn't make it to nine churches, but I did drive to four, and I got pictures of two that I'd like to share with you.

This is the main altar at St. Alponsus, which is a church built by Irish immigrants.  It is right across the street from St. Mary's Assumption, where the German immigrants worshipped.  St. Alphonsus has been closed for some time; now it is used as a cultural center rather than for worship (except on Good Friday).  The building needs work but it would be a shame to lose such a lovely part of our heritage.  

Old-fashioned air conditioning in use

A recently restored statue of the dead Jesus

These are more pictures from St. Alphonsus.  One question that maybe a reader can answer.  In some of the old churches, the pews are on a platform a couple of inches higher than the aisle. Anybody know why?

Next we headed across the street to St. Mary's Assumption.  It is the church where Blessed Francis Seelos served a it houses a shrine to him.

For veneration

Lots of people walking today

My sidekick poses with  Blessed Fr. Seelos