Restoration of St. Louis Cathedral Highlighted Through International Collaboration and Public Dialogue

The restoration of the historic St. Louis Cathedral continues to move forward through a series of recent events that brought together local leadership, international expertise, and the broader community around a shared commitment to preservation.

Tulane Book Festival

The effort was highlighted during the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, which featured more than 100 presentations and hosted over 250 authors, journalists, and public figures as part of its “America 250” programming.

During the session “Rebuilding the Sacred: Notre Dame and St. Louis Cathedral,” Kevin Morris of Holly & Smith Architects joined Philippe Villeneuve, Chief Architect for the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, to discuss the realities of restoring historic sacred structures.

Introduced by Gayle Benson and moderated by Joseph Dunn, the discussion focused on common challenges in historic buildings, including moisture intrusion, material deterioration, and the long-term planning required to maintain these structures for future generations.

Cathedral Tour

Following the panel, the conversation continued inside the Cathedral with a personally guided tour for Villeneuve, led by Morris alongside colleague Andre Villere.

The tour provided a closer look at the Cathedral’s architectural character and the ongoing work required to preserve it. Discussions centered on the performance of historic materials over time, as well as the technical considerations involved in addressing long-standing conditions within the structure.

The visit included an ascent into the Cathedral’s central tower, revealing the physically entombed “open spire,” originally designed by architect J. N. B. de Pouilly in the 1840s.

During the tour, the group was also joined by the newly appointed Archbishop of New Orleans, James Checchio, marking a meaningful moment within one of the city’s most significant historic landmarks.

Alliance Française Presentation

The series concluded with a presentation hosted in partnership with the Alliance Française of New Orleans, where Villeneuve shared an in-depth look at the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris following the 2019 fire.

Through detailed visuals and firsthand experience, the presentation highlighted the scale and complexity of the effort, including the work of more than 2,000 artisans, craftsmen, engineers, and preservation specialists involved in returning the cathedral to its historic form.

Looking Ahead

Together, these events reflect the level of coordination, expertise, and long-term commitment required to care for historic structures of this significance. They also reinforce the value of shared knowledge and collaboration across disciplines and regions.

For Villeneuve, the visit marked his first time in New Orleans, adding a personal dimension to a weekend centered on preservation and architectural stewardship.

Ongoing restoration efforts for the Cathedral continue through the Our City, Our Cathedral initiative, supporting the long-term care of one of New Orleans’ most iconic structures. Learn more at ourcityourcathedral.org.