Sarah Mitchell
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is a Latin Church territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern Missouri. St. Louis has a rich Catholic history, with the Diocese of St. Louis being established in 1826 and the city playing a role in spreading Catholicism in the trans-Mississippi West, especially among Native Americans. The Catholic community in St. Louis is known for its social consciousness and charitable works, with a focus on education and integration. The Catholic population in St. Louis has a significant presence, with a variety of churches, schools, and cemeteries serving the community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 220,000 |
| Leader | Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski |
| Location | City of St. Louis and the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, Saint Charles, Saint Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington |
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What You'll Learn
History of Catholicism in St. Louis
The history of Catholicism in St. Louis, Missouri, dates back to the late 17th century when the region was first visited by Jesuit missionaries. In 1673, Reverend Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, became the first Catholic presence in what is now Missouri when he stopped in Perry County while travelling down the Mississippi River.
In the following decades, the region saw an influx of French and French-Canadian settlers, who established the first parish in the archdiocese, St. Genevieve, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, in 1759. At this time, the Catholic Church in the region was under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Cristobal de la Habana in Havana, Cuba.
In 1764, the founding fathers Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau designated a tract of land known as the Cathedral Block for the construction of a Catholic church. This church, the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, also known as the Old Cathedral, became the first Catholic cathedral built west of the Mississippi River. It was completed in 1776 and served as the only parish church in St. Louis until 1844, influencing the growth of Catholicism in the region.
In 1818, Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg recruited Sister Rose Philippine Duchesne from the Society of the Sacred Heart in France to open girls' schools in the diocese. That same year, he founded the Saint Louis Academy, later known as Saint Louis College, to educate Catholic laymen. In 1823, DuBourg invited the Society of Jesus to send priests to Florissant to minister to Native American converts.
In 1826, the Diocese of St. Louis was established as a separate diocese from New Orleans, and Reverend Joseph Rosati became its first bishop. In 1831, Bishop Rosati laid the cornerstone for a new cathedral to replace the log church that had been built in 1764. The new cathedral was completed in 1834 and dedicated by Bishop Rosati. It became the first Catholic cathedral west of the Mississippi River.
In the following decades, the Catholic community in St. Louis continued to grow and expand beyond the city. New dioceses were erected, and the Vatican appointed new bishops to assist in the spiritual care of the region. Today, the Archdiocese of St. Louis covers the City of St. Louis and several counties in eastern Missouri and is led by Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski. The Archdiocese is committed to fostering unity amidst diversity and creating an environment where individuals can grow in their faith and support one another.
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Catholic schools in St. Louis
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is a Latin Church territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern Missouri. It covers the City of St. Louis and the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, Saint Charles, Saint Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington. The Archdiocese is led by Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski, and the archdiocesan cathedral is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
The Catholic community in St. Louis has a long history of social engagement and charitable work. For instance, in 1871, the local community began providing charitable assistance to refugees from the Chicago fire. During the civil rights movement, local priests challenged segregationist policies at St. Louis Catholic schools. Archbishop Joseph Ritter, who served from 1946 until his death in 1967, opened an average of three parishes per year in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. He also raised over $125,000,000 to build 60 new parishes and 16 high schools.
Today, the Archdiocese of St. Louis continues to emphasise the importance of education and community engagement. Its Catholic schools aim to nurture both the mind and the soul, inspiring academic excellence while instilling values such as compassion and integrity. The Archdiocese provides a holistic range of resources and support for individuals and families, fostering unity and diversity within the community.
Some notable Catholic schools in the St. Louis area include Bishop DuBourg High School, known for its diverse student body and supportive environment; Duchesne High School, praised for its strong community presence and college preparatory curriculum; and Alton Marquette Catholic High School, recognised for its forward-thinking approach and innovative ideas. Other Catholic high schools in the area include John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (closed in 2017), St. Elizabeth Academy (closed in 2013), and Trinity Catholic High School (closed in 2021).
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Catholic charitable activities
The Catholic Church has a long history of charitable work in St. Louis, Missouri, dating back to the early days of the city. The Diocese of St. Louis was formed in 1826, and the first bishop, Joseph Rosati, recognised the need for a larger church as the city grew. The current “Old Cathedral” was opened in 1834 and became a significant centre for the spread of Catholicism in the American West, particularly among Native Americans.
Today, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, led by Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski, covers a large area including the City of St. Louis and several Missouri counties. The Archdiocese is committed to serving the community and offers a range of ministries and services to meet the specific needs of individuals and families. One of the key focuses of their charitable work is providing support and resources to those in crisis, including emergency relief and long-term stability programmes.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis has been active since 1912, offering a variety of services across the entire Archdiocese. They provide humanitarian assistance to migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, including legal aid, youth programs, bilingual mental health counselling, and case management. They also offer a range of housing and emergency shelter services, such as affordable apartments for seniors, residential care for children, and shelter for women and their children. Additionally, they have a Natural Disaster Case Management service to help those affected by floods or tornadoes address their unmet needs during recovery.
The Archdiocese also recognises the importance of steady employment in lifting individuals and families out of poverty. They address the issue of unfilled jobs due to a lack of qualified candidates by offering workforce development programmes that promote the common good and human flourishing. Furthermore, they provide senior care through their Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, ensuring seniors have a supportive community and skilled professionals to help them live their best lives.
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Catholic cemeteries in St. Louis
St. Louis is home to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. The Archdiocese of St. Louis covers the City of St. Louis and the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, Saint Charles, Saint Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington.
The Catholic Cemeteries ministry operates 17 cemeteries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. One of these is Calvary Cemetery, which is one of the largest Catholic cemeteries in the nation. Founded in 1854, it is the second oldest cemetery in the archdiocese. The cemetery contains 470 acres (1.9 km2) of land and more than 300,000 graves, including those of General William Tecumseh Sherman, Dred Scott, Tennessee Williams, Kate Chopin, Louis Chauvin, and Auguste Chouteau.
Calvary Cemetery is beautifully landscaped and features two public mausoleums, fountains, and impressive Victorian and Gilded Age monuments and mausoleums of noted area families. The cemetery is still heavily patronized, and burials and committals are generally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with office hours Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Another notable Catholic cemetery in St. Louis is the Old Cathedral Cemetery, which dates back to the early days of the Archdiocese. It is the final resting place of many early Catholic pioneers and clergy, including Archbishop Kenrick, who founded the cemetery in 1857.
In addition to Calvary and Old Cathedral, there are 15 other Catholic cemeteries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, including Mt. Olive, Our Lady, Resurrection, Ss. Paul and Peter, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Ferdinand, St. Joseph, St. Mary, St. Monica, St. Peter, St. Philippine, and several others. These cemeteries serve as places of prayer and remembrance for the Catholic community in St. Louis, providing a physical connection to the history and heritage of the Church in the region.
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Catholic population in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri, has a significant Catholic population with a long history in the region. The Archdiocese of St. Louis, a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, covers the City of St. Louis and several Missouri counties, including Franklin, Jefferson, and Lincoln. The Archdiocese is led by Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski as of November 2024.
The Catholic presence in St. Louis dates back to the early 19th century. In 1818, Sister Rose Philippine Duchesne was recruited to open girls' schools in the diocese, including the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, the first free school west of the Mississippi River. The Diocese of St. Louis was established in 1826, with Joseph Rosati as its first bishop. In 1834, a new cathedral was consecrated in the diocese, now known as the "Old Cathedral." This cathedral became a significant site in the spread of Catholicism into the American West, particularly among Native Americans.
The Catholic community in St. Louis continued to grow and establish various institutions over the years. Archbishop Joseph Ritter, who served from 1946 until his death in 1967, played a significant role in the post-World War II expansion of the Archdiocese. During his tenure, Ritter raised funds to build new parishes and schools, and he established the Annual Catholic Appeal, which continues to provide financial support for educational and charitable activities.
The Catholic population in St. Louis has been active in social and charitable causes. During the civil rights movement, Catholic priests challenged segregationist policies in St. Louis Catholic schools. Additionally, the Catholic community has a history of providing charitable assistance, dating back to 1871 when they supported refugees from the Chicago fire.
While the exact number of Catholics in St. Louis today is unclear, the presence of numerous Catholic churches, schools, and cemeteries indicates a substantial population. St. Louis is home to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which serves as the archdiocesan cathedral, as well as several other Catholic churches and cemeteries. The Archdiocese of St. Louis actively engages in teaching and sharing the Catholic faith, fostering unity and supporting the broader community.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, there are 220,000 Catholics in St. Louis, Missouri.
No, St. Louis University is not a Catholic university. While it is based in St. Louis, Missouri, it is not exclusively for Catholic students. The university welcomes students of all religions and backgrounds.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri.
