Cathedral Basilica of St Louis

What is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis?

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also referred to as the New Cathedral or Saint Louis Cathedral, stands as the principal church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Situated in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, it serves as the seat for Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.

History and Construction

Planning for this grand cathedral began in the late 19th century under Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick, with Archbishop John Joseph Kain establishing a fund for its construction. The initiative gained momentum under Archbishop John J. Glennon, leading to the selection of the architecture firm Barnett, Haynes & Barnett, with Thomas P. Barnett heading the design team. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on May 1, 1907, and the cornerstone was formally laid on October 18, 1908. While the superstructure was completed sufficiently for a dedication ceremony in 1914, the church's full consecration was not celebrated until June 29, 1926. Even after its consecration, the intricate mosaic work continued, with its final completion occurring in 1988.

Architectural and Artistic Significance

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is particularly celebrated for its immense mosaic installation, one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. This breathtaking collection encompasses over 83,000 square feet and comprises 41.5 million individual glass tesserae in more than 7,000 colors. The mosaics in the side chapels and sanctuary walls were meticulously crafted by Tiffany Studios, while August Oetken designed the mosaics adorning the main cathedral spaces. Dozens of artisans contributed to the installation, including notable teams and companies like Ravenna Mosaic, Inc., Emil Frei, Inc., and the father-son duo Paul and Arno Heuduck, who dedicated a significant portion of their careers to this project. The narthex visually narrates the life of Saint Louis IX of France, the namesake of the city and cathedral, the rear dome showcases significant archdiocesan events, and the main dome, designed by Jan Henryk de Rosen, depicts pivotal scenes from both the Old and New Testaments.

Crypts, Museum, and Organ

Beneath the cathedral lies a museum dedicated to the church's mosaics and other artifacts. The undercroft also features a chapel honoring past leaders of the Archdiocese, with Cardinals John J. Glennon, Joseph Ritter, and John Carberry, as well as Archbishop John L. May, interred within the cathedral's crypt. The cathedral is also home to a significant pipe organ, originally built by Geo. Kilgen and Son, Inc. in 1915, and has since undergone numerous extensive renovations and expansions by various organ companies, including M. P. Moller and Wicks Organ Company, resulting in a complex instrument with hundreds of ranks of pipes.

Designation and Modern Features

In 1997, Pope John Paul II officially designated the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis as a basilica. The grounds also feature the distinctive circular Chancery Building, designed by modernist architect Wenceslaus Sarmiento. In 1999, a stainless steel sculpture known as 'The Angel of Harmony' was installed, symbolizing peace and racial justice, though it was sadly vandalized and destroyed in 2024. The cathedral was officially designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997.