At A Glance
Location: 4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108
Hours: Daily from 7 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
History/Overview
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, or the Saint Louis Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic Church cathedral located in the city’s Central West End neighborhood. Founded as the mother church for the St. Louis Archdiocese in 1914, it was designated as a basilica in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.
This cathedral was built to replace the original St. Louis Cathedral, which is located along the banks of the Mississippi River and is now called the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. Though workers broke ground for the new cathedral in May 1907, the deduction ceremony and first mass did not occur until the building was completed in October 1914. More than a decade later, the church would go through consecration in June 1926.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is known for its burial crypts, large mosaic installation (largest in the Western Hemisphere), and the outdoor sculpture that was added to promote racial harmony.
What to Expect at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is open to the general public and is free to visit. And if you’re looking to get away from the hustle, bustle, and monotony of life, this is the place you want to visit!
Taking part in a guided or self-guided tour will allow you to learn about the Cathedral’s history, transcendent art, and inspiring architecture. The building is a one-of-a-kind art piece, between the radiant mosaics and lofty vaults, the beauty of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis will leave you in awe.
The property allows for tours of the building and the museum, so wear some comfortable shoes! Regardless of who you are, this is an amazing sight to see, so schedule a tour and go see why they call it the “Rome of the West.”
FAQs
To become a basilica, a cathedral must be named so by a Pope. The St. Louis Cathedral is a Basilica because it was named as one by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
The cathedral’s basement houses a museum that’s dedicated to the church’s mosaics and other artifacts that were found within the walls. Yet, this isn’t the only portion that’s underground. You’ll also find the crypt where Cardinals John Carberry, John J. Glennon, and Joseph Ritter, as well as Archbishop John L. May, are buried.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis was completed and held its first mass in 1914, which makes it 108 years old.