Join us this fall as we continue to reckon with our roots at the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, and in New Orleans  October 15-17, 2026.

In Joshua 4, God commands the Israelites to gather stones from the Jordan River and build a memorial. Not for themselves, but for the generations to come. "When your children ask, 'What do these stones mean?'" they are to tell the story. Sacred memory is the spiritual practice of truth-telling. In an age of book bans and unprecedented historical revisionism, people of faith are called to erect stones, to witness the stones of generations past, to hear the stories and tell the stories, to tell the truth and be shaped by it. And not to just rest there–but we practice in this way so that we may be moved to be a people of liberation and freedom. 

We'll be guided by 2nd Line Tours. The weekend will include a day trip to the  Whitney Plantation, a nonprofit museum dedicated to telling the history of slavery on a former sugar, indigo, and rice plantation (1752–1975). Notably, Whitney is one of the only plantation museums in the South to center the lives and experiences of enslaved people.

2nd Line Tours will then guide us through the city of New Orleans and the invaluable contributions made by enslaved individuals to the city’s economy, from enslaved labor to skilled artistry, and how free people of color played an essential role in shaping New Orleans’ identity. We will gather together at congregational partner St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church to debrief our time together.

Thanks to a generous grant received from the Baugh Foundation, registration for this event is only $25. Registration opens on August 3rd, 2026.

Schedule

Thursday, October 15, 2026

On Thursday, we will meet at St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church, 7100 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118.

12-1p Check-In

1-2p Opening Worship

2-2:30p Opening Lecture

4-5p Group Conversation and Preparation

5-7p Happy Hour

7p Dinner (on your own)

Friday, October 16, 2026

8a Meet for tour (414 Canal St.)

8:30a Depart for Whitney Plantation

11:30a Depart Whitney, head back towards New Orleans

12:30p Lunch (on your own)

1:30p Soul of New Orleans Tour

4:30p Tour Ends

5p Dinner (on your own)

Saturday, October 17, 2026

On Saturday, we will gather again at St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church, 7100 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118.



9-10:30a Reflecting Together

11a Worship

12p Departure

Travel and Lodging

To give participants the flexibility to choose accommodations that best fit their preferences, accessibility needs, and budget, the Alliance has not reserved a hotel room block. Instead, we've highlighted several hotels that offer convenient access to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

Many participants may find the historic New Orleans Streetcar to be the easiest way to travel throughout the city. The St. Charles line provides affordable, wheelchair-accessible service between many of the recommended hotels and the church, making it a convenient option for getting to and from pilgrimage events.

Please note that there is no parking available at the church, and street parking in the surrounding neighborhood is limited. For most participants, we recommend using the Streetcar or another rideshare or public transportation option rather than planning to drive to the church.

2nd Line Tours will be providing shuttle rides to and from the Whitney Plantation on Friday. Participants need to make their way to the Tour Pick up location at 414 Canal St.

The map below shows the recommended hotels, the church, and the St. Charles Streetcar line to help you plan your stay.

Recommended Hotels

Club Wyndham Avenue Plaza

2111 St. Charles Avenue

Garden District

Approximately 25 minutes by Streetcar or 12 minutes by car to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

Estimated nightly rate: $256–275

Historic Streetcar Inn

1509 St. Charles Avenue

Garden District

Approximately 25 minutes by Streetcar or 12 minutes by car to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

Estimated nightly rate: $111–150

The Pelham Hotel

444 Common Street

Central Business District / French Quarter area

Approximately 38 minutes by Streetcar or 21 minutes by car to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

Estimated nightly rate: $137–155

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown

1300 Canal Street

Canal Street / French Quarter area

Approximately 38 minutes by Streetcar or 21 minutes by car to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

Estimated nightly rate: $187–220

For Streetcar routes, fares, schedules, and accessibility information, please visit the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority website.

Hotel rates are as of early July. Please check hotel websites for accurate pricing.

Questions?

Email info@allianceofbaptists.org!

Staff Team

Reverend April Baker, interim director

Reverend Amy Canosa, interim endorser

Reverend Stephanie True Cooper, strategic communications and clergy engagement

Mary Kate Deal, visual communications: social media and graphic design

Reverend Brett Harris, development

Kristy Pullen, communications and development associate

Reverend Alexis Tardy, D.Min., congregational relations and organizing & THRIVE coordinator

Reverend Lily White, hospitality & LGBTQ+ ministry partner relations