business

Wellness center in Scandinavian Jazz Church approved by City Planning Commission

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Plans for a wellness center in the former Norwegian Seamen’s Church on Prytania Street won the approval of the City Planning Commission last week, despite a recommendation from the staff planners to deny a required zoning change. The center is the brainchild of Diana Fisher, Deborah Peters and Kendall Wininger, three sisters who live in the Lower Garden District. “The idea was born out of one sister’s need during a serious illness,” Peters told the City Planning Commission. “Her treatment required her to drive around town seeking help from different practitioners.”

They came up with a plan to bring medical practitioners and wellness activities together in one place to better promote healing. When the church, renamed the Scandinavian Jazz Church and Cultural Center after it lost its funding from the Norwegian government, closed at the end of 2018 and the property went on the market, the sisters decided it was the perfect spot for their venture.

city government

Norwegian Seamen’s Church buildings granted landmark status

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A 20th century complex of buildings in a district revered for its 19th century architecture was given official landmark status Wednesday by the Historic District Landmarks Commission. Designed and constructed in 1968, the Norwegian Seamen’s Church held its last service on Christmas Eve 2018. It then changed to secular hands, and its new owners are planning a wellness center. The church’s history in the Lower Garden District began in 1906, and it is its history and cultural significance — as well as the airy Scandinavian-style mid-century architecture — that the HDLC honored in granting the extra layer of protection from alteration or demolition. “The buildings that make up the campus more stylistically resemble Scandinavian architecture than that of the surrounding neighborhood,” HDLC staff stated in their report.

church

Broadmoor Community Church to ‘party in the park’ this Sunday

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Broadmoor Community Church will host an event this Sunday, April 14, that will feature free food, music, games for kids, an easter egg hunt, and more. This “Party in the Park” takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broadmoor Play Spot, 2021 S. Dupre. The free event is open to the public and will also include a gift card raffle and clothing giveaway. For more information, call (504) 822-7229.

church

Scandinavian Jazz Church building set for redevelopment as wellness center

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By Nicholas Reimann, Uptown Messenger

One-hundred and twelve years as a religious hub for the Norwegian community makes a space on Prytania Street ideal for yoga classes, meditation and water aerobics, its new owners told residents of the Lower Garden District on Wednesday. If all goes as planned, the site of the former Scandinavian Jazz Church — previously called the Norwegian Seamen’s Church — will be transformed into a wellness center called the Santosa Center for Healthy Living by the fall of 2020. The property’s owners say the development will be a unique, all-inclusive wellness center not found anywhere else in New Orleans. “We feel there’s no better place to do this than in this church,” said Diana Fisher, who owns the property along with her sisters Deborah Peters and Kendall Winingder. Fisher said most of the existing buildings on the property wouldn’t be altered.

church

Where to find St. Joseph’s altars Uptown

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The St. Joseph’s altar is one of those Catholic traditions, in this case a Sicilian Catholic tradition, that, through some very creative adaption, south Louisiana has made its own. Among all the breads and cakes shaped into religious symbols — a monstrance, chalice, cross, heart, dove, Bible — it’s not unusual to find an alligator. A Lenten symbol, perhaps. The fava bean is also ubiquitous at New Orleans altars.

church

Irish Channel Parade set to roll on Saturday

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It seems like the Carnival parades just passed by, and it’s time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Channel Parade. On Saturday, March 16, cabbages, kisses and green bling will be flying along the parade route. The parade is scheduled for 1 p.m., starting after a noon Mass at St. Mary’s Assumption Church.

church

Where to find Friday fish fries Uptown

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Lenten fish frys at Catholic churches and schools start today and continue throughout Lent. Here’s some local Friday fish fries from a list compiled by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. If you know of a fish fry in the Uptown area that’s not on this list, we invite you to leave the information in the comment section. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, De La Salle Council 3411
Mother Pauline Center, 4219 Constance St. March 8, 15, 29; April 5, 12; after 6 p.m.
Menu: fish and fries or crawfish pasta, coleslaw, vegetable, dessert, drink.

arts, books and music

To make the season bright, go to a free holiday concert

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Celebrating Christmas doesn’t have to involve opening your wallet. You can fill your ears and your spirit with sweet yuletide sounds, and enjoy a respite from holiday frenzy, at free concerts throughout the city during December. Gospel choirs, jazz bands, classical artists and more perform in historic church settings during December. Here’s a list below — and if you know of others, please put the information in the comments section below or email uptown@nolamessenger.com. All of these concerts are free and open to the public – although donations, of course, are always welcome.