I went to look at this Church the other day. I had never been inside and I wanted to see the Stained Glass up close.
There seemed to have been some work done on the interior but it had stopped.
While I was getting some shots one of the Church Officials came in and told me I had to leave because the Church was in danger of collapse.
It looks like the owners would rather demolish than repair this building, and it all comes down to one thing.
There were some great light fixtures that had been taken down, but other than that there seemed to have been no work done.
22 responses so far ↓
JDub // Oct 23, 2007 at 9:17 pm
wow. how can we stop this. they also own the double gallery next door (which they have allowed to fall into disrepair and tried to demolish several times)
crescentlady // Oct 24, 2007 at 6:15 am
Well, they certainly won’t qualify for a public demo - at least they shouldn’t. A structure like this doesn’t become destabilized by high winds unless there was prior damage.
If they can donate it to the city and take a tax write off, it can be repaired under the Stafford Act as a Library or something.
Anyone have any Garden District contacts that can see what’s up? Is it on the demolition list? It will go under HDLC review. Surely they won’t approve the demo.
crescentlady // Oct 24, 2007 at 6:16 am
The salvage alone on this could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Editor B // Oct 24, 2007 at 10:02 am
Is this building on a demolition list?
Karen Gadbois // Oct 24, 2007 at 10:04 am
This building in on NO LIST or Review. BUT the owners of the building are claiming that it is in danger of collapse.
Scott A // Oct 24, 2007 at 4:30 pm
The windows, interior millwork and curved pews are amazing. From the photos the building looks structurally sound, if a bit neglected. This building should be saved.
Carl G // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:45 am
Is this building owned by the Archdiocese or is it independently owned ? If it’s’ the ARCHNO it does not surprise me. They have no regard for historic buildings in New Orleans or for their parishoners. Look what happened to Cabrini.
Karen Gadbois // Oct 25, 2007 at 10:09 am
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Rev.Moses Gordon
Shanna Riley // Oct 31, 2007 at 3:17 pm
This simply can’t be demolished - such a lovely, old church, such history and design. This is so depressing.
Karen Gadbois // Oct 31, 2007 at 3:22 pm
This will probably be on the agenda in November. Keep an eye on this site for more information.
Zelda Sayre // Nov 2, 2007 at 9:03 am
FYI– it’s 2101 Prytania, uptown lake at Josephine–not 2601.
Adair // Nov 2, 2007 at 9:51 am
I don’t think that 2601 Prytania is the correct address for this church. The 2600 block of Prytania is between 3rd and 4th Streets. This church, I think, is below Jackson in the 1800 or 1900 block, I think.
I completely agree; it’s much too lovely to tear down!
Karen Gadbois // Nov 3, 2007 at 7:37 am
Thanks for the correction
Red County, California: Carnival of Hurricane Relief, #113 // Nov 8, 2007 at 10:54 am
[…] 2101 Prytania ChurchSeparation of church and state? Okay, that was a lame segue — but a great old church is slated for demolition in NOLA. […]
NOLA3 // Nov 28, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Moses S. Gordon, II, Pastor
cscott // Dec 5, 2007 at 10:55 am
They own the house next door on Prytania and also behind on Josephine. This is attempted demolition by neglect. I would hate to see this happen and as a neighbor, planning on fighting this.
Herb // Dec 9, 2007 at 12:18 am
This is sad. I have friends who once had a ministry in this church building for over 20 years. They sold the property to a Missionary Baptist Church in the 1980’s and moved to another state. I was in New Orleans in the summer of 2006 and took several photos of the building. It is sad if this building is slated for destruction.
SusanP182 // Dec 20, 2007 at 12:26 pm
This is two blocks from my house…it is real eyesore to ALL of us in the neighborhood!! I actually was amazed at the inside. The inside damage, had to be from roof damage. It has been in dis-repair since before Katrina though.Keep up the GREAT work Karen !!
Jay // May 6, 2008 at 10:48 am
Does anyone know how to contact Dr. Moses S. Gordon, Jr.? Perhaps he would be willing to negotiate. I think his brother [Rev. Crispus Gordon still lives in New Orleans]. I’m sure the City of NO tax Assessor’s office for the district can find someone to answer inquiries on the building. Who knows, they may be more than willing to let the building go to those who can care for it.
Nailah // May 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm
This is strange because I actually know the family and could possibly find the owners but what good would that do. They now live in Hammond La.
Big Cajun // May 28, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I was a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church for years and @SusanP182 the church was not in disrepair before Katrina as a mater of fact the interior was renovated before Katrina and the building was well maintained. The building is a great building but with the mass exodus of parishioners the church has been unable to raise the money to fully repair the church. I know the owners and they are doing there best to bring the church back. Destruction is the last option after all others are exhausted.
Flash // Jul 19, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Why not contact EXTREME Makeover…They did a Great job on First Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pastor Southall.
Consider it…it is worth a try.
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