Our History
With the help and dedication of parishioners and friends, Father Harry Tompson, S.J., opened the Parish Center next door to the Immaculate Conception rectory on Baronne Street in downtown New Orleans in 1999. The initial role of the Center was to fill the pastoral needs of the Parish, but the Center soon began to attract unhoused persons who had need for the comforting haven that the Center provided. Thus began the Immaculate Conception Church’s ministry to the community of homeless individuals in New Orleans.
Father Harry Tompson’s Vision
Addressing the need
In order to meet the needs of those who dropped in, the Center began to provide shower facilities, laundry service, toiletries and a place to rest for approximately 30 homeless persons. As the love spread, so did the word of mouth. Before long, an average of 175 men and women were receiving even more services on a daily basis. The full-time staff during this time also grew to a total of five to keep up with the demand, which was growing larger each day.
Under the leadership of Father Tom Stahel, the late pastor of Jesuit Church (2004-2005), the parish center was established as a registered non-profit organization and began operating under a new name, The Harry Tompson Center, in honor of Father Harry who died in 2001.
Rebuilding after Katrina
By the time Hurricane Katrina struck, the Center was seeing up to 275 people a day. The building that housed the Harry Tompson Center incurred severe damage as a result of the flooding from Hurricane Katrina. The Jesuits of the New Orleans Province allocated funding and staffing to re-establish its ministry in a new location. They teamed up with St. Joseph’s Church and the Lantern Light Ministry to build and establish a new day center for the homeless in 2007.
The Rebuild Center is located at 1803 Gravier Street, directly behind St. Joseph’s Church. Architects from Detroit Mercy College were recruited to design a beautiful, nurturing, serene outdoor environment which has resulted in numerous design awards.
Our Story Continues
The Harry Tompson Center treasures its partnership with St. Joseph’s Church and the other non-profits sharing space at the Rebuild Center: the Lantern Light Ministry facilitates two daily meals, mail service, prescription assistance, identification assistance, SNAP & Medicaid assistance, and operates a bi-monthly food bank distribution; and DePaul USA which provides a housing program. Together, we provide a continuum of services to meet all the needs of our unhoused guests.
The Center flourishes to this day because of the dedication and commitment of the staff and volunteers, the guidance of our Board of Directors, the support of the Jesuit community and individual donors, continued funding support from UNITY and the City of New Orleans, and the ongoing support of Immaculate Conception Parish.