Photos of Saint Patrick Mission of Armagh, in Catawissa, Missouri

Here are photos of Saint Patrick Mission of Armagh, the "Old Rock Church", located near Catawissa, Missouri, which is about 42 highway miles southwest of downtown Saint Louis.




Church's website: http://www.stpatricksorc.org
Archdiocesan website: http://www.archstl.org/index.php?option=com_adir&task=details&amokey=2314&Itemid=82

From the website:

St. Patrick’s Church, Catawissa, Mo. known by residents of the area as the “Rock Church” is constructed of Missouri limestone or sandstone and based on a seven foot pyramid rock foundation. The stones used for the first few feet of the church wails were placed by “dry mortar,” in which each stone was carefully fitted into another without the aid of adhesive material. The remainder of the walls were completed with the aid of traditional wet mortar, but were also carefully worked. As the church was constructed in two different stages, it is supposed that the dry mortar method was used in the first foundation and the quicker wet mortar method was used to finish the walls. All stones were quarried by hand near the church, Interior measurements of the church are 44 ft. by 88 ft.

The roof, originally slate, is supported by a system of interlocked wooden beams, which have been described by architects as a magnificent piece of engineering. The roof which rises inside to a pointed arch is constructed of wooden planks, fitted tongue and groove without the use of nails. The interior walls, 15 inches thick, and the slanted window sills are covered with smooth plaster.

The prominent architectural feature of the church is its Gothic arches. Multiple use of the arches in paneling, communion rail and windows lend a graceful, soaring feeling to the otherwise solid understructure. Particularly beautiful are the elongated arched windows behind the main altar, which are filled with stained glass in lovely muted colors. Two series of wooden Gothic arches outline the church on either side of the main aisle and another series of four arches outlines the base of the choir loft.

The wooden tabernacle on the main altar is decorated with a trefoil design and surmounted by a crucifix rescued from the fire of 1885. Six gilded wooden candleholders, 3½ feet tall and imprinted with carvings of bleeding hearts, the symbol of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, stand on the main altar. A pale aqua medallion centered with a large shape of a bleeding heart and topped with a crown of thorns, reddish purple flames and white radial arms, is attached to the front of the main altar.

The two side altars are supported by four slim wooden columns. Hand-made statues of Mary and Joseph stand on the right and left altars, respectively. Near the left altar is a statue of St. Anthony, donated by Mary Theresa O’Donnell.

Photos taken August 20^th, 2006, during the church's annual picnic.




Window into the choir loft.




Front door.

ST. PATRICK'S PARISH OF ARMAGH
ESTABLISHED IN 1843
PRESENT CHURCH BEGUN IN 1853
(INTERRUPED BY CIVIL WAR)
COMPLETED IN 1866
CHURCH BURNED IN 1885
REOPENED ON EASTER SUNDAY 1886

CLOSED 1924

Note how the windows tilt inward.




The church appears larger on the inside than out: there is little detail on the exterior to give it a sense of scale.




Close-up of main altar, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.




1^re. St^on.

JÉSUS CONDAMNÉ À MORT
JESUS CONDENADO A MUERTE
JESUS CONDEMNED TO DEATH




Altar of Saint Joseph.




Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In memory of
Rev. EDWARD BERRY
BORN Clarahill TOWN'S LAND
Queens Co. Ireland, Mar. 19, 1827,
Ordained at Carlow College
May 11, 1856.
DIED July 24, 1901,
AGED 73 YEARS.
R.I.P.

IN MEMORY OF
REV. PHILIP GRACE
WHOSE REMAINS LIE BENEATH
DIED AUG. 1859
AGED 35 YEARS
R.I.P.

INDULGENCES
To those who pray before the
MISSION CROSSES
Erected by the Redemptorist Fathers,
Granted by His Holiness Pius IX.

Saint Patrick, painted on a wooden post.




View of altar from choir loft.




The only stained glass windows here are behind the sanctuary.




The pipe organ in the choir loft.




The interior of the pipe organ.




JEZIS NAPOMINA PLAC-ZENI JERUZALEMSKE

Old Stations of the Cross are stored in the choir loft. Is this Czech? Slovak?




The old cemetery, nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks. It was at one time overgrown.

Address:

150 Rock Church Road
Catawissa, Missouri 63015