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October 15-17  |  $25

Alliance Pilgrimage

Fall 2026

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 then 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.

“When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall tell them.” Joshua 4:6–7

Day One, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Arrive, Meet, and Set Intentions

As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get oriented, and begin connecting with those around us.

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

Check-In

12p – 1p

Gathering Worship

1p-2p

Framing Lecture

2-3:30p

Group Conversation and Preparation

4p

Happy Hour

5p

Dinner on your own

7p

Day Two, Friday October 16, 2026

Sacred Memory in Place

Our second day invites us to remember through place. We begin at the Whitney Plantation, where the stories of enslaved people are preserved and told through their own voices, offering an honest encounter with the realities of slavery and the resilience of those who endured it. After lunch, we continue into the heart of New Orleans, tracing the city's history from Congo Square and Tremé to the French Quarter as we explore how enslaved and free Black communities shaped its culture, music, faith, and identity. Together, these experiences reveal how truth-telling, memory, and resilience continue to shape the present, and why remembering remains sacred work.

We will gather at 414 Canal Street, New Orleans to meet our tour guides from 2nd Line Tours.

Meet at 414 Canal St. for tour pick up

8a

Depart for Whitney Plantation

8:30a

Depart Whitney Plantation

11:30a

Lunch on your own

12:30p

Soul of New Orleans Tour

1:30p

Tour Ends

4:30p

Dinner on your own

5p

Day Three, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Reflections and Sending Out

We'll close our pilgrimage with time for reflection, conversation, and worship as we consider what we've seen, heard, and learned together. Before heading home, we'll explore what it means to carry these stories with us and continue the work in our own communities.

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

Reflecting together

9-10:30a

Closing Worship

11a

Departure

12p

Schedule is subject to change. Please keep checking back for updates.

We hope your time in New Orleans is both meaningful and enjoyable. 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.

The map shows the recommended hotels, the church, and nearby Streetcar stops 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.

Travel and Lodging

FAQs

  • August 3.

  • Programming on Thursday & Saturday will be held at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Their address is 7100 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA.

    Friday will include a tour of the Whitney Plantation and New Orleans.

  • Yes! In fact, we encourage it! There is no way to register a group as a whole, and you will need to register each person individually. Please note that space is limited, so you’ll want to register early to ensure everyone from your group has a spot.

  • There is no parking at the church and very little street parking. We encourage you to use the New Orleans Streetcar, as many locals do. It is affordable and operates on Canal Street, where many of the recommended hotels are located. You can find information on the Streetcar here, including fare & schedule details. The Streetcar is wheelchair accessible. More information can be found at this link.

  • No. Rather than reserving a group hotel block, we've chosen to give each participant the flexibility to select accommodations that best meet their preferences, accessibility needs, and budget. You can see the recommended hotels on the event page.

  • We are limiting registration to 100 spots to ensure everyone can participate in and hear the conversation. If you are interested in attending, we encourage you to register early.

  • All registrations must be received by Monday, September 28, 2026.

  • The actual cost of offering this pilgrimage is significantly higher than the registration fee. Thanks to the generous support of a grant from the Baugh Foundation, we're able to subsidize the cost and offer registration for just $25 per person.


    In your registration, you’ll receive group travel and tickets to the Whitney Plantation, a group tour around New Orleans, and the opportunity to attend all of the Alliance programming. Light snacks and beverages will be provided at the church. 

  • The Whitney Plantation is about 50 mins west of New Orleans. We will travel by bus with 2nd Line Tours. We encourage participants to pack snacks and water for the journey.

  • Given the nature of this event and the importance of visiting the Whitney Plantation for conversation, it will only be held in person.

  • While we welcome children to join their parents for the programming, there will be no childcare available for this event. Any children will need to register as adults to receive tickets to the tour and Whitney Plantation.

  • Item descriptionYes. There is a $10 processing fee to cancel your registration. Please contact info@allianceofbaptists.org.

  • Unfortunately, no, we cannot accommodate same-day registrations. You will need to register before September 28th to attend the event.

  • Please email info@allianceofbaptists.org for assistance with the registration process.

  • You can download The Whitney Plantation Free Mobile Audio Tour on your phone’s app store. Tours at the plantation are self-guided, and this audio tour is a helpful tool. Remember to bring and charge your headphones! 

    The Whitney Plantation has curated a soundtrack for your preparation. The Road to Remembering playlist on Spotify is perfect for your drive time, helping you reflect while you’re on the road. Rooted in Black history. Curated for your journey.