Regional Modernism :: The New Orleans Archives

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 1100 S. Broadway was originally designed as part of the Francis Lister Hawks Episcopal Student Center for Tulane-Newcomb and named for Rev. F.L. Hawks, first President of Tulane University. According to a brochure in the University Archives, the "contemporary architecture of the Chapel symbolizes hands folded in prayer."

The chapel was designed by architect Claude E. Hooton and completed in 1956. Mr. Hooton had previously designed the International Style Texaco Building at 1501 Canal Street. Hooton also worked as an associate architect with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill on the Pan American Life Insurance Company headquarters at 2400 Canal Street. Both the former Texaco Building and PALIC have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.