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Explore > St. Augustine Parish Hall > Story Archives
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Fond Memories of Church Hall Activities
Submitted by Cathey, New Orleans-Treme
Some of my fond memories of St. Augustine Church Hall include the many parish fairs that were held inside the Hall. Also, our Church choir would hold a dance every year with entertainment from well known artists like Lady B. J. Crosby, Dr. John, James Rivers and Tommy Ridgley who would donate their talent. There was a museum in the upper part of the hall hosted by "The Committee For A Better Treme". When the Dirty Dozen Brass Band was first forming, the Hall was a practice place for the likes of Cyril Salvant, Andrew Green, Gaynell Washington and also Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, all of whom were band members and St. Augustine Parishoners. There were receptions given for Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A., Ph.D., who helped with the formation of the "Lead Me Guide Me" hymnal, and also singer-dancer-movie star, Lola Falana. This Hall has been and still is an important fixture in the lives of the people of Treme and has been used as a convent, school, cafeteria, drug rehabilitation office, food center, St. Vicent DePaul Center and a place of prayer. St. Augustine Church Hall has been all this and more to all who have embraced her! She may be old, but she still serves a mighty purpose!
Cathey M. Lewis, Parishoner/Choir Member
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Volunteer
Submitted by Believer,
April 30, 2008
To whom it may concern:
My name is Beverly Curry I am now currently the chair person at St. Augustine church, every one in the Treme area know the hardships that this beautiful and sacred church has faced over the years and doing the horrific time after hurricane Katrina. I have had been blessed to have the St. Vincent De Paul charitable fund there that offers help, and hope for those that are trying to re-established their lives. Here at St. Augustine's church hall we have had all kind of events for out community such as toys for children that were in families that could not afford a toy for their child at Christmas time. We have had food drives for those that needed food, in addition to all of the other events that we have hosted at St. Augustine's church hall the community and the surrounding communities always new that this was the place that they could come when in need of help, or needed to have a special gathering.
Further more, St. Augustine's church hall plays in important role in the lives of its parishioners, and surrounding areas of the Metro New Orleans area.
Sincerely,
Beverly Curry
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My Wedding
Submitted by moni, New Orleans
April 30, 2008
To whom it may concern:
My name is Monica Picquet and I am writing this short letter in regards to the hall that is domiciled in the back of St. Augustine church which played an important role in my life. This hall will always hold fond memories for me. In June of 1997 I had my wedding reception at St. Augustine's hall. There I had the pleasure of meeting relatives that I have not seen, and the joy of meeting new relatives that I was most fortunate of coming into union with. My wedding reception was like an enormous family reunion. St. Augustine has played an important role in most of its parishioners' lives but also know that the hall that is conjoined with the church also holds favorable memories as well, and I know that everyone would agree that if any of the parishioners needed to hold a function such as a meeting, a reception, or a gathering they all wanted it at St. Augustine's church hall.
In addition, St. Augustine's church hall will always hold fond memories for me and my husband because this was the day we got married and had a beautiful reception.
Sincerely,
Monica Picquet
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St. Augustine Parish Hall
Submitted by Cleo Collins, Southern Region
I am writing this letter about Tyrone Peters who is now deceased.
Somehow he took an interest in St. Augustine Church Parish Hall. I do not know how the interest started but when it did it became his heart and soul. Every breath he took was for that hall.
He loved taking care of the hall-- keeping it clean and being there whenever a function was taking place. It did not matter how many functions were going on day and night. There were many times he was there all night cleaning if a function was there that night and one the following day.
He would get involved with the decorating of the hall no matter who was having a party, wedding or dance..
Whenever there was a Repast he would make it easier on the family - he would cook and set the hall up so the family would not have to worry about it.
He would give functions for the church himself. He would give parties for the children at Halloween, Easter, Christmas and other times of the year. He would give functions to raise money for the church.
His greatest joy was giving the Senior Citizens Dinner once a month after Mass. He would cook the whole meal and have his Seniors in the hall for their day. He loved doing this from the bottom of his heart and he would be so excited when this Sunday came around.
He took great Pride and Joy in the Parish Hall. He strived to make it a Great Place for church members and the community.
His whole being was for the Church Parish Hall He loved it with his heart and soul. It became his life.
Cleo Colllins
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St. Augustine Hall Serving The Community Always
Submitted by Sandra Gordon, New Orleans
I've been a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church since 1965, my family since the 1800's.
My first events at the Parish Hall were at the time the Brothers of the Sacred Heart were teachers at Aloysius Catholic School on Esplanade Ave. The Brothers were our Youth Advisors and our Choir Directors. We practiced for our youth choir, held youth parties and meetings, and always had lots of fun in the Parish Hall.
My sister, Alisa, attended "Little House of Bethlehem" school in which the classrooms were upstairs over the Hall.
St. Augustine Hall was the Community meeting place for the transmission of important information. Social and Pleasure Clubs held their dances and great King's and Queen's Parties of Second Line Groups were held in the Hall.
We held great Yard Jazz Festivals. The food in the Hall was prepared by the best cooks in the city - which were our church members. Let's not forget the Friday evening Jazz and Seafood Boils.
In the summer, the Hall was a free jazz band camp for youth sponsored by the Jazz and Heritage Foundation. Several famous musicians were teachers to the youth of our community and other areas of the city.
The Hall was also the place where the food tasting was done for the booths at the Jazz Festival, starting in the month of January each year.
An after-school program in the Hall allowed students from schools throughout the community to obtain help with their homework and participate in arts and crafts under the direction of Debra Jackson a member of St. Augustine Church.
The Hall has always been the place where people of all races and religions met for funeral repasts for their loved ones throughout the city.
The seniors held their meetings and Mardi Gras Parties in the Hall. One of the best for the Young at Heart Senior Group and the Harmony House Senior Group.
For years, the Hall was the meeting place for AA and NA each Monday of the week. Members met there from all over the state for the help they needed to get back on track.
Before the Satchmo and Danny Baker masses, the Altar Society would cook, served and sell the best hot breakfast in the Hall.
After Hurricane Katrina, the Hall served as a free food pantry and a free Health Fair served people from several parishes in Louisiana.
These are only a few of the reasons I pray that the St. Augustine Hall to come alive once again for the people of this great city.
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My Story
Submitted by Julia, Treme
I moved to the Treme area of New Orleans, following the gutting and sale of my Mid City home. This was a very difficult time for most New Orleanians, who had recently lost homes, contents, lifestyles, and communities that once supported their lives. Feeling the trauma of many losses I wondered over to the closest church in my neighborhood to sit quietly and pray for guidance during this troubled time. What I found was a dark church, with people sitting outside praying and singing gently together with the hope and conviction that this church would remain open and their beloved priest, Pere Ledoux, would remain the priest of this sacred church. At the time it was enough for me to be able to get into the church from the unlocked side door so that I could pray, cry, meditate, and seek the strength of God to help me restore my life. In those quite moments, I experienced a profound presence of Jesus in my midst. I became committed and devoted to this Holy Ground at that moment. After several months, and the Archdiocese decision allowing the church to remain open, I became a member of the church choir, directed by Ms. Carol Lablanc. The friendships that I have made amongst the choir members have guided me home to a very special community at St. Augustine Church; a place where you can worship God, feel the awesome power of love that restores your soul, and make a commitment to a place that is truly Holy Ground.
Thank you,
Julia Katherine Beaudine, MSW
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Memories of the Church Hall
Submitted by Louise, Treme
MEMORIES OF THE CHURCH HALL
Saint Augustine had a school in the church hall building. My son, Elliot, integrated the school in the early 1960's. I remember taking Elliot to school being very nervous because he was Black and there were police barricades across the street and people were yelling all kinds of ugly words. The school closed after a year when people took their children out because they did not want their children attending school with Black children. During the period when the school was open, Holy Family nuns taught at the school for a while until it was closed.
Mrs. Louise Dobard Kaufman
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St. Augustine Means...
Submitted by Linda, Treme - St. Augustine Church Hall
ST. AUGUSTINE MEANS…
St. Augustine Church Hall has a special place in my heart for all the good times so many people have enjoyed there. Over the years, the hall has functioned as home for religious orders, meeting and retreat center, school, museum, reception hall, outreach center, and so much more. While the building has been used as a location for social, cultural, and spiritual outreach programs helping many in need, more importantly, it has been a place of hope and promise. The Ursuline Nuns, Sisters of Mount Carmel, Sisters of the Holy Family, and countless others played very important roles in establishing what St. Augustine Church parish was to signify from its beginnings in the early 1840's. They educated, provided spiritual guidance, and cared for people of all races and particularly free people of color and slaves. The parish has never wavered on those early principles and maintains a strong sense of determination.
The renovation of the church hall will allow the parishioners and friends of
St. Augustine more opportunities to serve the needs of the community.
Linda B. Harris
April 30, 2008
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A Church to Call Home
Submitted by Charlenia Monette, New Orleans
I joined St. Augustine Church in August, 2006, upon returning home after Hurricane Katrina. Although I cannot share a long list of memories of events that I attended in our Church Hall, I can say that the Hall serves many purposes, most of which involve the family which is St. Augustine. After the storm, the Hall's use as a food bank was beautifully and accurately chronicled in the award winning documentary "Shake the Devil Off ", which snagged the Best Documentary Feature award just last week at the April 24th, 39th Annual Nashville Film Festival (NaFF). The Church Hall is truly an integral part of church life at St. Augustine where parishoners meet for events ranging from Toys for Tots, senior and youth activities and outreach programs to Friends of St. Augustine meetings and pot luck socials. In the future when it is fully restored, we hope that Church Hall functions will make possible the many cultural and fund raising projects which have either been put on the back burner, streamlined or deemed impossible. As a member of St. Augustine Church and The Soulful Voices Choir, I have truly found my church home and look forward to many performances in our beautiful and historic Church Hall.
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My memories of St. Augustine Church Hall
Submitted by AJ, New Orleans
My name is Allen J. Powell the son of Lucille and Daniel Allen Joseph Powell. I give recognition to my parents who have joined our ancestors because it was there guidance that lead me in my beliefs to the seminary and ultimately to St. Augustine Church Hall. This hall is as fondly remembered as Holy Redeemer Church Hall which housed many of the parishioners that joined the church after losing its church home to Hurricane Betsy.
It is only forty-two years of personal memories that I have to offer. In those years the hall was a viable source of a steady stream of income for the parish often being utilized the entire three day weekend for rental events such as countless parties, wedding receptions, and other events. When I served as vice president of N.O.T.E. Neighborhood Organization of Treme East the hall was our meeting place. When Brother Keiran sought out neighbors to partake in a free paint program the hall housed that effort. My memory even goes back to the church bingo which raised monies as well as the church fairs, and fashion shows. The summer yard dances would often spill over into the hall with the James Rivers Movement leading the way.
In many ways the hall was a reflection of the church which throughout the years was open, inviting and welcoming to all. It served as a place where repasses would be open to the neigborhood which to us meant the city.
At two different times I remember putting a paint brush in my hand and joining with the skilled painters of the parish to paint the outside of the church and the hall.
More recent plans for the hall included massive, visionary renovations of which architechtural plans now exist with Mr. Peter Weir who was as excited about the prospects of bringing this building to prominence as were the members. They included a two story separate event facility as well as a parish office area in the attic portion of the building. Some of these renovations are reflected in the present design of the hall.
I'm sure some with better and longer memories than I can provide more detailed and historic infromation about the hall which once served as a school. I hope that these few words can begin to sled some light on the touchstone of Treme which is St. Augustine Church Hall and the church itself.
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St. Augustine Hall
Submitted by DJ,
My name is Debra Jackson, My non-profit is Peoples Community Organization. Our organization had a foodbank that was housed in the church hall we served over 2500 people each month giving them non-parishable items that were needed to feed their families.We were there for five or more years in the early nineties. During Christma we would collect 1,000's of toys that were gven to the children in our community. One year Father Ledoux who allowed us to be housed in the hall played Santa, the children were thrilled.Our organization also assisted with rent and utilities, working out of the hall. My daughter was one of the first femae altar servers in St. Augustine's church. PCO/Kid's House also was started in St. Augustine's church hall.We had about two hundred children that came in and out of our program, the children were fed and tutored in the hall.There was also a clothe closet that was run out of the hall.
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Peopes Community Organization in the church hall
Submitted by Debra Jackson, New Orleans
Peopes Community Organization, my organization, ran a food bank out of the church hall for more than five years in the 90's. The food bank fed over 2500 people a month, we also assisted with utility and rental assistance. My youngest daughter was one of the first female altar servers in the church. In the hall is where my daughter made her dancing debut, we had 150 people come from washington DC to see kid's house and look at the program, and watch my daughter dance.Father LeDoux allowed kid's house, the foodbank and the clothing room to operate without asking for a dime.That wonderful hall is where I did work for St. Vinent dePaul society assisting clients with the help they needed. He said anything positive for the children.Later on we ran an after school tutorial program called kid's house, kid's house served over 200 children helping with homework, and teaching them conflict resolution.We even gave the children a hot meal each evenning before they left at 6:00pm. This was the only place the children could come and get help with homework, have a hot meal, and a caring adult to talk to them.Our organization right out of the church hall would also send groceries home with the children. The Lord blessed us with over 1,000 toys for the children in the community and father played santa. That hall has been so much of a blessing for me, my children and my organization.Now, today is where I teach CCD.
Debra Jackson
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St. Augustin Church Hall
Submitted by mamajazz, treme
I moved to Treme after a Post-Katrina stroke in Jan.'06. This hall distributed food supplies to the residents of the neighborhood, as well as people from all over the city. Also, the Armstrong Family Services were housed there until they could find a permanent location after Katrina. Before & after Katrina, Toys for Tots were given away to children. The church's St. Vincent de Paul society disburses aid in the form of utility assistance for the Community. This church is also known for its wonderful Jazz Masses & Mardi Gras Indian Masses( big chief Tootie Montana was buried from this church & his family still attend), as well, including the Louis Armstrong Mass during Satchmo fest. Giving them a Grant for the hall will enable them to hold their weekly Fish Fries, which was a big part of the socializing of Treme residents. With the money they can assist more people in the Community.
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st. augustine parisch church hall
Submitted by norma jean, new orleans
as a new orleanian and parishioner, the history of this neighborhood is important to me... st. augustine church is a very special place.. coming back from evacuation of the katrina hurricane...to find the church operating a food pantry in the church hall was overwhelmingly heartwarming... this space was so well utilized and the services offered were such a valuable contributor to the health and well being of the families struggling through such a difficult time... the parishioners made the best of a bad situation by using this conveniently located church hall.. it is obvious that the building needs attention....and could be used for many such valuable functions in the future
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Fighting to Keep St. Augustine Open
Submitted by opal, Louisiana
I was introduced to St. Augustine Church in the summer of 2005 when I was engaged to design its website. As part of my research, I attended Mass and was incredibly impressed by the spirit of the congregation and the wonderful music they generated to express that spirit. I was also impressed at the way the church regularly drew such a multi-racial crowd to worship together.
When in 2006, St. Augustine was threatened with closure, I supported the parishioners trying to keep the church open. The Parish Hall was the site of many historic and heartrending conversations during that time. I remember talking about strategies for keeping the church open; discussing; arguing and finally, joining hands together to pray for God's guidance & help.
I'm sure the Parish Hall has been the site of many great things. My memories of it include learning the meaning of this parish to New Orleans history and community and joining to protest its proposed closure.
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St. Augustine Church
Submitted by Ginger, New Orleans
In the spring of 2006, I decided to visit St. Augustine Church out of curiosity. As a non-Catholic, I didn't expect to visit more than once. The church itself is striking, the words in French over the altar, the stained glass windows of French saints on the sides, the old 'slave pews' along the walls. As the parishioners arrived, I was surprised at the substantial biracial nature of the congregation, unfortunately so rare in churches and in the rest of society. Even more so, the parishioners greeted each other with enthusiasm and warmth, the friendships across the racial lines palpable and obviously genuine.
As the Mass began, the choir broke into song which swept us to our feet, clapping and singing along. Later in the service we all joined hands to sing the Lord's Prayer and then came "the sign of peace," the part of the Mass where you greet your neighbor in the pew. Except at St. Augustine, half the people spill out of the pews to crowd into the aisles to greet everyone, friends and strangers alike. I was immediately hooked.
Since then, I have been back to the church 2-3 times a month and also to many meetings in the St. Augustine Parish Hall. The meeting hall is a marvelous venue for not just the parish events but the entire Treme community. We have monthly "Friends of St. Augustine meetings" there, open to all, which attract many in the Treme community and beyond. I have been to fundraisers, special benefit dinners there. Unfortunately, because it needs renovation, we cannot do all the things we might were the Hall in "better shape." Treme is one of New Orleans' unique and historic neighborhoods and St. Augustine is the heart of the community.
Sometimes at the Mass, during the Lord's prayer, I look across the congregation, see the hundreds of clasped hands in the air, white, brown, black, young, old, male, female, heard their combined voices singing to the rafters with hope and joy and I choked up, thinking, "This is what New Orleans needs, now more than ever." Renovating the Hall would expand that dream even wider.
Ginger Berrigan
New Orleans
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Finding My Faith
Submitted by Marcia, French Quarter
I began to attend St. Augustine after the storm after I saw how beautiful it was. I hadn't gone to church regularly in a very long time. I found a warm and loving community inside those church walls and now call it my "home." If it weren't for St. Augustine, I may not have found my way back to the Catholic Church.
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Rainy Jazz Fest day
Submitted by Linda Santi, New Orleans & the Midwest
The one year a bunch of my friends from Iowa and other points in the Midwest all came down for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, one of the days they were here was rained out.
It was a Friday and I suggested we just go over to the St. Augustine Church Hall for the Friday Fish Fry. The food was great, the fellowship was marvelous, and even though we didn't stick around long enough for musicians to wander in and celebrate a rainy day in NOLA with us, all my visitors who were there had a great GREAT time. They are still talking about the wonderful sense of community and joy they got from that afternoon in the Church Hall.
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Bob Mauss' recollection of the Church Hall
Submitted by Bob Mauss, Treme
I have been a member of St. Augustine since 1988, and attended the many
parties and receptions held in the hall on the weekends. Many folk in
the Treme area would hold their party's and family gatherings there. The
Dirty Dozen Brass Band use to play at those receptions when they were
first forming their group. Randy Mitchell started the History Museum of
Treme there in 1989. Viola Washington housed the office of her Welfare
Rights organization there in the early to mid-ninties. The Debra Jackson
People's Community Organization worked out of the hall in the mid-nineties
until 2000, distributing tons of food and clothing. Many community
groups from taxi cab drivers to French Quarter horse carriage unions
would meet on weekday evenings at St. Augustine Hall for free. Tom
Velasquez, member of St. Augustine, ran a job employment service every
Monday night for many years from the mid-eighties until the mid-ninties,
assisting untold numbers of people in Treme who were looking for work.
And who could forget the annual Church fair held there every year,
which played an important part in maintaining the St. Augustine church
community.
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St. Augustine is holy ground and I know that there are angels all around.
Submitted by Alison McCrary, New Orleans
I moved to New Orleans shortly before Hurricane Katrina and the levee breach. After evacuating and returning, Father LeDoux welcomed my and others' proposal to start a a free food pantry and community center in the St. Augustine parish hall. For many months, we fed over 200 families per week out of the church hall despite its need for repairs and renovation. In addition, people received information on safety, rebuilding, returning home, FEMA, small business loans, healthcare, childcare, jobs, and much more. Volunteers from the Treme community, the church parish, and activists worked together to bring New Orleans and its people back.
In the summer of 2006, the St. Augustine hall and property was the site of a parishioner-organized city-wide community healthfair where more than 200 sponsoring organizations provided free health services and information to hundreds of returning residents. In addition, every child received a backpack full of school supplies and attendees enjoyed home-cooked meals by the parishioners.
On a more personal note, after working in the food pantry in the fellowship hall post-Katrina one day, Father LeDoux approached me in the parking lot and invited me to attend Mass at St. Augustine. I informed him that I was Methodist and not Catholic but he told me it didn't matter. I started attending Mass at St. Augustine regularly and have since that day. I was very confused at first: the standing up and sitting down and kneeling, all of these phrases that everyone has memorized, the songs that weren't written anywhere but that everyone knew the words to because of the oral tradition. It took some time to adjust but didn't take long for me to fall in love with St. Augustine and its parishioners. We went through some struggles and it made us stronger and helped us to grow together.
About two years ago, I started taking RCIA classes. While in search of finding answers to all of my questions about the Catholic church, my relationship with parishioners grew and my friendship with God was strengthened. Two weeks ago, I received the sacraments of reconciliation, first communion and confirmation.
In addition to being the spiritual home for Jazz, culture, and traditions in New Orleans and beyond, St. Augustine has continuously been a place for people to come together, celebrate, and share the love that Christ demonstrated for us.
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