The Old Ursuline Convent The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest
building in the Mississippi Valley. Constructed by French
Colonial Engineers under the auspices of the crown, the convent
was designed in 1745 and completed in 1752-1753. Over the
centuries, this building has been a convent for the Ursuline
nuns, a school, an archbishop’s residence, the archdiocesan
central office, and a meeting place for the Louisiana
Legislature. Later it served as a residence for priests serving
mainly the Italian community. and then housed the Archdiocesan
Archives. Today, together with the St. Louis Cathedral, it forms
the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center of the Archdiocese of New
Orleans. Visit us on