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Name:  Cathedral of St. Louis (New Cathedral)
Address:  4431 Lindell Blvd.
Year:  1907
Architectural Firm/Architect:   Barnett, Haynes and Barnett
Dimensions:   380 feet long, 212 feet wide, dome height - 220 feet.
Designation: City Landmark
History:
Archbishop Kenrick began a movement to erect a new cathedral in 1871, but no construction was undertaken at that time. The idea was revived in 1896 after Archbishop Kain had acquired the present site. A new parish was formed and a chapel and a rectory were built at Newstead and Maryland Avenues. Plans for a Roman basilica style cathedral were forestalled financially by losses to church property from the tornado of 1896. In 1905, Archbishop Glennon again proposed the idea and a fund of $600,000 was raised to sponsor an architectural competition. Winner of the contest was Barnett, Haynes and Barnett with the present design in 1906. Groundbreaking occurred on May 1, 1907, with the cornerstone being laid on October 18, 1908. Consecration ceremonies took place in October, 1914 after completion of the exterior, at which time the chapel was demolished. As completed, the New Cathedral was one of the largest churches in America and included four lateral chapels at a cost then of $100,000 each. Its great dome was inspired by that of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Interior construction then began and continued intermittently for many years as arches, walls and columns were given a sheathing of marble or a covering of mosaic. Central point of interest in the interior is the white marble altar which is surmounted by a baldachino of silver filigree, and is supported by onyx columns and decorated with mosiac work. When the new building was consecrated it was given the title of Cathedral of St. Louis and its prececessor became the Church of St. Louis of France. Cardinal Glennon was buried in a crypt in the Cathedral after his death in 1945.




People
Barnett, George Dennis
 Barnett, Haynes & Barnett,
Glennon, John
Haynes, John Ignatius

St. Louis Cathedral

 

 

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