The month of May is National Historic Preservation Month in the US, and we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a project update on a very special place in New Orleans. We’ve had the honor of serving the congregation, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Demetrese Phillips, of the Historic St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 222 North Roman Street. The project just received permit approval this morning! Special thanks to Rev. Phillips and the all-star project team, including the initial support of the Preservation Resource Center that made this work possible.
The St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Orleans stands as a monumental example of architectural beauty and cultural significance. Constructed in 1848 and remodeled in 1903 by the architectural firm Diboll and Owen, the church has long been an important landmark in the city. A testament to the resilience and faith of its congregation, it is also a symbol of the profound role African American communities have played in shaping New Orleans’ history.
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the church is recognized as a prominent example of the Victorian Gothic Revival style, and is listed as a local landmark. Its defining architectural features include pointed arches, stained glass windows, blind arcading, corner pinnacles, and its central open spire, which together contribute to the church's reputation as the most stylistically ornate AME church in Louisiana.
A Vital Preservation Effort
Due to the inevitable effects of time and exposure to the elements, the church had begun to show signs of deterioration. The steeples, including the central open spire and pinnacles which are integral to the church’s visual identity, required repair and restoration to preserve the architectural integrity of the building. The project focused on rehabilitating the central open spire, restoring missing wood and refinishing the exposed metalwork, and reconstructing a missing pinnacle. The pinnacle located on the southwest corner was detached from the church’s facade during hurricane Katrina in 2005, and later went missing as the church worked to repair other critical damages.
After nearly two decades, the restoration became possible when the church was awarded a grant from the Preserving Black Churches program, administered by the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant application was developed with the assistance of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, whose advocacy and technical support helped bring this vital work to fruition.
Project Team and Approach
The project is being led by Mia Kaplan Studio (MKS), with Mia Kaplan serving as the historic architect and preservation consultant. Known for their expertise in historic architecture, MKS has taken a meticulous approach to ensure the work honors the church’s original design while utilizing modern technologies to enhance the restoration process.
The team includes Marais Consultants, who provided structural engineering expertise to ensure the stability and safety of the new pinnacle’s attachment. Franklin Construction & Design, the general contractor for the project, has overseen the restoration work, ensuring that all aspects of the project are executed with precision. The restoration of the church’s intricate woodwork was handled by Thomas Edick Design, while HJM Machine was responsible for the metalwork, restoring the church’s delicate features to their former glory.
Combining Tradition and Innovation
The restoration process has employed a blend of traditional and modern techniques. To document the church's existing conditions, the team relied on time-honored methods, including detailed hand measurements and sketches. These practices ensured that the intricacies of the church’s design were accurately captured.
In addition, modern technology has played a crucial role in enhancing the documentation and preservation process. Aerial drone photography provided high-resolution images of the steeples from angles that would otherwise be inaccessible. The team also employed photogrammetry, a technique that generates precise 3D models of the steeples. This technology allowed the team to verify measurements and evaluate hard-to-reach areas, ensuring the accuracy of the restoration. A historic preservation plan and drawings of existing conditions were provided to guide the team to produce shop drawings that detailed the materials, construction methods, assembly, installation, and attachment methods to the historic building. The new pinnacle adopts the same appearance and materiality of its remaining counterpart, but now includes structural strapping and hurricane ties to resist high velocity winds in the future.
Drone imagery of multiple perspectives is imported to a program that converts imagery into point clouds which come together to form a 3d scan of the object.
Compliance with Preservation Standards
Throughout the project, the team has adhered to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which are designed to ensure that historic properties are preserved with respect to their architectural significance while also allowing for necessary repairs and updates. These standards have guided the restoration of the steeples, ensuring that the work both respects the church’s historical legacy and supports its continued use.
A Step Closer to Completion
As the restoration project nears completion, the work has already received a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Landmarks Committee, which ensures that the project complies with the city’s historic preservation guidelines. The restoration plans are currently undergoing plan review and approval, with the final installation of the missing pinnacle expected in the coming months.
This significant phase of the project will mark the return of the church’s facade to its former symmetry, restoring an iconic feature of the church’s architecture. The careful restoration of these structures will ensure that St. James AME Church continues to stand as a vital cultural and architectural landmark in New Orleans.
General Contractor Jarrod Franklin of Franklin Construction & Design (left) and woodworker Thomas Edick of Thomas Edick Design (right) examine and discuss the progress of constructing the new church pinnacle. Photo by Mia Kaplan (MKS).
Preserving a Legacy
Beyond its architectural significance, St. James AME Church is a profound cultural landmark. Built by a congregation composed of both free and enslaved African Americans, the church provided a sanctuary during a time when enslaved people were excluded from worship in local Episcopal churches. Its construction marked a turning point in the lives of many, offering a space of inclusion, dignity, and spiritual refuge.
Today, the Historic St. James AME Church remains an active and welcoming place of worship under the direction of Rev. Dr. Demetrese Phillips, where long-time members continue to gather beneath the same stained glass and soaring ceilings their ancestors helped build. The current restoration effort not only preserves the church’s physical structure but also honors the skilled craftsmanship and historic dedication embodied in every element of its design.
This project demonstrates the importance of preservation as a means of honoring our collective past. By restoring the steeples of St. James AME Church, the project team is helping ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience and learn from this remarkable legacy—one built by a powerful community whose contributions remain a primary thread in the fabric of New Orleans.