Holy Spirit Church began in 1972 to serve the rapidly growing subdivisions on the Westbank of Orleans parish.  The history of Holy Spirit Parish has been a story of growth, change, dynamic faith and fidelity.  For nearly 50 years the people of Holy Spirit have served God and each other in an atmosphere of joy and prayer.  

In the beginning, led by now retired, Father Roy Allen, the parish relied on the community around the parish for places to worship.  The chapel at Holy Cross College, the Mary Joseph House, even St Philip's Episcopal Church were places used by our parishioners to gather, pray and have mass.  In 1978 Holy Spirit began work on our present-day building.  By 1993 the parish growth was felt, the ministerial commitments in the parish deepened and the parish needed more space.  The expansion of our church and Parish Life Center began.  After a 3-year long fundraising drive, help from the Archdiocesan Development Office, and the great generosity of our parishioners, in 1997, classrooms and a parish hall with kitchen/pantry facilities were added, as well as expanded seating in our worship space.

Our little church nestled in the back corner of the neighborhood of sprawling oak trees is the best keep secret in Algiers.  Holy Spirit is unique among churches, in no small part because we are both small and family-oriented.  As a church family, we celebrate and pray together, study and learn in common, and approach the needs of the church with openness and fidelity.  

Traditions root us to Holy Spirit as well, and we share so many not found elsewhere.  One is our unique offertory tradition; we don't "pass the basket."  You pass the basket on your way to pray.  Many parishioners, past and present, remark on how wonderful that custom is, although Father Roy was told "he was going to go broke" when he started that practice.  That didn't happen, we are still standing nearly 50 years later.  

Our people have always been willing to give themselves in stewardship.  Their time, talent, and treasure help spread the Gospel Good News to all to whom we are "called and sent".  We have a spirit that is attractive, unifying, and faithful, and we look for new ways to cultivate this spirit, ways to reach out to others who desperately need the hope, trust, and warmth that our Church can offer.