With the exception of the St. Louis Cathedral, buildings of religious function and architecture do not normally come to mind when thinking about the French Quarter. The reality is that this small neighborhood is home to more than ten religious buildings that house varying religions and denominations. North Rampart Street is home to three such buildings, one of which, located on the corner of N. Rampart and Barracks, is the best example of Gothic Revival architecture in the district.

Serving as the lakeside boundary of the Vieux Carre Historic District, North Rampart Street is home to some of the most unique buildings and residences in the French Quarter. 

North Rampart Street gets its name from the walls built by the French to fortify the original settlement. The street serves as a transitional barrier between the architecture and streetscapes of the French Quarter and neighboring Treme neighborhood.

One of the most important buildings in this historic corridor is The Center of Jesus the Lord, formerly The Monastery of St. Joseph and St. Teresa of the Discalced Carmelites of New Orleans. The church is one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the French Quarter. Built by Fred Reusch Jr., and designed by famed local architect James Freret, the church, service building and surrounding walls were completed in 1895.

Freret (1838-1897), nephew of New Orleans mayor William Freret and cousin of architect William A. Freret, was one of New Orleans’ most prolific late 19th-century architects. Freret studied architecture in Europe and upon his return to the United States in 1862, joined the Engineering Service of the Confederate States military.

In 1865, he established his private architecture practice in New Orleans and received acclaim for this design of the Moresque building, which had been erected from his designs while he was in the office of William Freret. James Freret designed innovative and classic buildings and residences not only in the New Orleans area, but as far away as Mobile, Ala. It was in Mobile where he designed St. Joseph’s Chapel in the Gothic Revival style on the Jesuit campus of Spring Hill College.

The most definitive element of the Gothic Revival style is pointed arches. These can be incorporated into buildings through towers, gabled roofs, ornaments and lacing, windows and stained glass. This style is most prominently used in designing churches, colleges and public buildings like libraries. 

The Gothic Revival elements of the Discalced Carmelites Monastery include classic examples of arched entryways, windows, stained glass and a steep gabled roof. This is a sharp contrast to the various townhouses and residences of Spanish and French design in the French Quarter. The interior of the chapel also has arched exposed beams and Gothic decorative elements in addition to stained glass throughout the building.

The story of the Carmelites in New Orleans dates back to 1877 when four Sisters from the Carmelite convent in St. Louis founded the Monastery of St. Joseph and St. Teresa of the Discalced Carmelites of New Orleans. Among the four were two born in Louisiana - Louise J. Roman, professed as Mother Teresa of Jesus, and Marie Eliza Tremoulet, professed as Sister Marguerite.

 In 1878, the four nuns moved into their first building on Barracks Street and expanded their convent to incorporate numerous blocks, which included living quarters, an infirmary, a fruit orchard, chapels, gardens and courtyards. The final product was completed in 1895 when the Archbishop of New Orleans consecrated the chapel.

Discalced Carmelites are a contemplative order of women who live in strictly cloistered monasteries and spend most of their time praying. The Discalced Carmelite order is a reformed order of Carmelites restored to its primitive rule by St. Teresa of Avila, Spain, in the 16th century. Discalced means no shoes or barefooted, although the Carmelites who originally came to New Orleans wore a type of hemp sandal, which in those days were not considered formal shoes.

The local nuns were self sufficient and self reliant in their daily activities. They maintained gardens, baked bread, sewed linens and even painted religious murals. They also translated and published books for the English speaking Carmel communities throughout the world.

The New Orleans Discalced Carmelites are still a thriving community with their monastery located in St. Tammany Parish. Their former monastery - the Monastery of Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa - is now a Catholic Charismatic Retreat Center, the Center of Jesus the Lord.

The Carmelite nuns left the French Quarter in 1971, citing their inability to maintain the religious compound as a decisive factor. Being part of a local and national historic district, all properties in the French Quarter must be maintained to prevent the loss of the historic buildings. Upon their leaving the building was left dormant for four years, during which the compound and chapel became increasingly damaged due to neglect.

The building was given new life when it was sold to the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1975. Father Emile Lafranz then began work to re-open this property as the Center of Jesus the Lord. The chapel and surrounding buildings were renovated with help not only from the Archdiocese, but also from countless local volunteers.

Today, the Center of Jesus the Lord is under the direction of Father John M. Capuci and is a Catholic Charismatic Retreat Center and worshiping community.