History and Tradition

Sisters of Mercy celebrate 150 years in New Orleans - Clarion Herald - New Orleans, LA

Holy Name of Jesus School opened its doors in September, 1891. Father Joseph Gerlach, SJ has merited the title of founder of the parish school; his fellow Jesuits said that "the parochial school was his hobby." In 1909, the Sisters of Mercy were persuaded to take over the administration of the school and to assume a large debt by purchasing the school property from the Sisters of Notre Dame.

The school has been located on various sites around what is currently the Loyola University campus. The cornerstone for the building now in use was laid on July 24, 1932 and classes began here on January 3, 1933. The quality of education and facilities alike led real estate advertisements in the local newspapers to say 'close to Holy Name School' as a way to entice prospective buyers.

After World War II, Holy Name experienced the same growing pains as other parishes, particularly in the realm of education. In 1949, enrollment at Holy Name reached 860 students from elementary through high school. Six years later the high school was bursting at the seams. It was decided that the Sisters of Mercy would build a new high school, between Freret Street and LaSalle Place, which became Mercy Academy, a most-esteemed all-girls high school, and was dedicated on March 19, 1961. Mercy Academy graduated its final class of girls in 1992. In 1993, Loyola purchased the building, which now houses a number of University departments.

Today, Holy Name of Jesus is a school of more than 500 students from infants through 7th grade. In 2021, the school assumed operations of Loyola University's Whelan Daycare Center and launched a brand new Little Gators program for infants and toddlers. 
The school continues to embrace the values of Jesuit education, along with Mercy charisms, in the tradition of excellence and caring for others. We strive to offer an outstanding and affordable Catholic education to the children of New Orleans and the surrounding civil parishes. 



Learn more about Jesuit and Mercy Charisms