Three Centuries of Catholicism Print E-mail

As Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Louis,

in communion with the Bishop of Rome

we are called by our Lord Jesus Christ

to be His Church and live His Gospel
 
With joy, we strive to fulfill

our Baptismal calling by prayer and worship,

teaching and sharing our faith,

serving others, and fostering unity in diversity,

Guided by the Holy Spirit.

we commit ourselves to the responsible stewardship

of all God's gifts.

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Mission Statement Archdiocese of St. Louis


The year 2001 marked the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of St. Louis in 1826. To highlight the occasion, the archdiocese prepared this historical sketch of some of the people and events that have made St. Louis a uniquely Catholic region. The inspired leaders, the milestone organizations and the historic moments are presented as stories that reveal the hidden power of God in the lives of those who were baptized "with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Mt 3:11).

Introduction: Reflections from Archbishop Rigali

Chapter 1: The Frontier of Faith, 1700-1818

Chapter 2: The Beginnings of a Catholic City, 1818-1843

Chapter 3: The Immigrant Church, 1843-1903

Chapter 4: A New Century of Catholicism, 1903-1946

Chapter 5: The St. Louis Church in the Modern World, 1946-1994

Epilogue: A New Springtime of Faith, 1994-2000

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