The church was completed in 1883, and at the time, was one of the largest churches in the then-Diocese of Alton.
These photos were taken on August 31st.
Waterloo is the county seat of Monroe County. This was the site of the Bellefontaine settlement, the first permanent Anglo-American community in the Northwest Territory, which was gained by the United States in 1783 from Britain after the Revolutionary War. Bellefontaine merged with Peterstown to the north to become Waterloo in 1818, named after the defeat of Napolean Bonaparte at Waterloo, Belgium, in 1815.
The northern part of Monroe County is rapidly becoming a suburb of Saint Louis, while Waterloo, although growing quickly, has many historic buildings near the church.
The parish website has an unusually detailed description of the symbolism here.
Prior to 1849, the area was ministered by Jesuits from Saint Louis; later Irish, and then German priests were in residence in Waterloo.
Click here for an early history of this church.
Click here for old sanctuary photos.
The tabernacle.
Blessed Virgin Mary.
The newest stained glass window commemorates the Martyrs of Ruma, killed in Libera in 1992.
A pile of breviaries. The lay recital of the Liturgy of the Hours is rare in parishes, but praying the Psalms was a widespread practice in centuries past.
Masses: Saturday 5:00pm
Sunday 7:00am, 9:00am, 10:30am
Address:
204 West Mill Street
Waterloo, Illinois 62298
Been a parishioner at Ss. Peter and Paul my entire life. This church is absolutly stunning! The one thing I do not like is the mauve/rose faux painting at the bottom of each column. I wish more of the origninal decorative details would be brought back: original altars, pews, pulpit, paint work, chandeliers, etc.
ReplyDeleteAll of the trees in front of the rectory have been removed this past spring,except two Red Bud trees,due to the damage from last year's ice storm. You can really see the detail work on the rectory now, but lets hope new trees are planted this coming fall. The rectory is gorgous.
ReplyDeleteMark, you should come back to Monroe County and go to the other Catholic Churches in the county. St. Patrick-1850-, in Tipton a few miles south of Waterloo. Our Lady of Good Counsel-1879-,in Renault, and St. Augustine of Canterbury-1824-,in Hecker. St. Mary's-1921-, in new town Valmeyer...modern, but lost old church in the flood of 1993. Two of the churches are stone. Hope to see them soon!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful new landscaped lawn in front of the rectory is being put in this week. The grass was all removed along with the current landscaping. New trees, Bradford Pear and Magnolia, new shrubs have been planted. A newly sodded lawn is on the way.
ReplyDeleteI am making a documentary film on the history of Waterloo for a final class project at Webster University. A good chunk of the film is going to be on my parish, Ss. Peter and Paul. I learned that there is a catwalk that runs the length of the church, above the center aisle arches. You get to the cat walk from the steeple.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fun exploration.
ReplyDeleteI was married in this parish to my wife, whom is from Waterloo. It's a beautiful Church and I am grateful that I was blessed to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony here.
ReplyDelete