An Architect To The Jesuits

Historic Buildings:
Center for Jesus the Lord

August 11, 2008

By Stephen McNair / Architectural Historian

An excerpt.
Famed architect James 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.

Link (here)

Photo is of St. Joseph's Chapel at Spring Hill College