NEW ORLEANS — Since 1841, St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church has stood tall. Its steeple overlooks Tremé — the oldest African American neighborhood in the U.S.
A cross usually sits at the top of the steeple.
“Hurricane Ida caused the cross, the 180-year-old cross, to bend over," President of Friends of Tremé Culture, Naydja Bynum, said, "And it’s just taken until recently for them to take it down and get it repaired. It’s all iron.”
Three years after the storm, parishioners are still unable to worship in the sanctuary due to storm damage.
The Archdiocese, parishioners, and community organizations such as Friends of Tremé Culture secured the funding to repair it.
Darryl Reeves used his blacksmith skills to bring it back to life.
“I mean, it was in bad shape," Reeves said, “I’m confident this one is not going to bend in 200 years. Maybe it might go 300.”
The cross was restored to its original condition. The only change was reinforcing the base so it doesn't topple over again, Reeves said.
On Sunday, the cross was blessed and set to be installed later this week.
“It represents everything that the church represents. So, it's been up here all of those years, and it took a hurricane to bend it over. So it's very significant because it represents spirituality and the history of this city and this neighborhood," Bynum said.
The symbol of hope will stand as a testament to the community, and as a reminder that faith is stronger than any storm.
Friends of Tremé Culture will host its annual Tremé Fall Festival this Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of the proceeds from that event will support the church's continued restoration efforts.
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