What is the Marie Couvent School known for?

It is recognized as the oldest Catholic educational institution for African Americans in the South and was the first community school to educate Black children in the South.

Where is the school located?

The historic property is located at 1941 Dauphine Street, at the corner of Touro and Dauphine Streets in Faubourg Marigny, New Orleans.

Who was Marie Couvent and how did she help start the school?

Marie Justine Couvent was a free woman of color who provided the school's founding support by establishing a trust fund in her will, stipulating that her property be used in perpetuity for a free school for poor Black orphans.

When was the school founded?

The school was founded in 1848, though some records indicate the institution was originally founded as the Institute Catholique in 1846.

Who are some of the school's notable alumni?

Notable alumni include Ernest “Dutch” Morial, who served as the first mayor of color in New Orleans.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Marie Couvent School in New Orleans

What to know

The Marie Couvent School site, located at 1941 Dauphine Street in the Faubourg Marigny, stands as a monument to African American education in Louisiana. The institution traces its roots back to the Catholic Institution, which opened in 1848 as the first community school to educate Black children in the South. It was originally known as the Institute Catholique, founded in 1846, and served as a critical center of learning for the city's Black community. The school's existence was made possible by Marie Justine Couvent, a free woman of color who arrived in New Orleans after the Haitian Revolution. In her will, she stipulated that her property at the corner of Dauphine and Touro Streets be dedicated in perpetuity for a free school for the colored orphans of the district of Marigny. This bold act of philanthropy provided the essential trust fund and land that allowed the school to operate in the face of systemic racism and slavery. Over the decades, the site has seen significant changes. A building funded by the philanthropist Thomy Lafon was destroyed by the devastating Hurricane of 1915. Following this disaster, the school's rebuilding and operation shifted under an agreement with Saint Katharine Drexel, the foundress of Xavier University. The site later served as the Bishop Harold Perry School for Boys from 1993 to 2006 and is now home to the Saint Gerard Majella Alternative School. The legacy of the school is reflected in its notable alumni, including Ernest “Dutch” Morial, the first mayor of color in New Orleans. Recognized as the oldest Catholic educational institution for African Americans in the South, the site remains a powerful symbol of resilience and the pursuit of knowledge within the community.

Visitor tips

Look for the historical marker that identifies the site as Marie C. Couvent.
Be mindful that the site is currently an active school, so avoid disrupting classes during school hours.
Combine this stop with a walk through the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood to see its historic architecture.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of the Faubourg Marigny, the Marie Couvent School site is surrounded by the historic residential architecture of the characteristics of the neighborhood, placing it at the intersection of Dauphine and Touro Streets.