The parish dates from 1906, and its Romanesque-style church was completed in 1927. The architect was Henry P. Hess (1884-1957), who worked for three years under William B. Ittner; Hess also designed the Rosati-Kain High School, the old Christian Brothers College High School building on Clayton Road (now owned by the Lutheran Concordia Seminary), the Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, All Saints in University City, Immaculate Conception in Maplewood, as well as other churches. Hess' firm is now known as LePique & Orne Architects, which still does work for the Archdiocese. The design of this church was inspired by the nearby Saint Anthony of Padua parish.
This was a mixed German and Irish parish at its founding. It now is one of seven archdiocesan parishes that has a Hispanic ministry.
The stained glass windows were executed by Emil Frei, Sr. (1869-1942); his descendants still run Emil Frei Associates, and have worked locally and nationally. Mosaics are by the Ravenna Mosaic Company, which also did the interior of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
The columns are of polished stone.
The main altar.
Mosaic of Saint Cecilia, Roman martyr (beheaded ca. A.D. 117) holding a small pipe organ. Cecilia is patroness of church music.
The tabernacle.
Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary; note the gold mosaics in the background.
Altar of Saint Joseph.
Saint Juan Diego with Our Lady of Guadeloupe.
A view to the back of the church. The Wicks organ dates from 1928, and has 23 ranks with over 1500 pipes.
A confessional.
Masses are in English and Spanish.
Address:
5418 Louisiana Avenue
Saint Louis, Missouri 63111
Unbelievably beautiful! I will link to this tonight.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe how many beautiful churches are in St. Louis.
ReplyDeleteA long time ago you asked about a statue of a saint -- this was in a church west of St. Louis I believe -- a girl lying on her side. That was the famous statue of St. Cecilia, so apt that you have now taken pictures of a church built in her honor.
I was in there over the weekend and they are restoring the sanctuary floor. It looks really nice, especially since the orange carpet is gone.
ReplyDeletePlease visit our website if you are a new couple looking for a church for your wedding. Click the link for "Wedding Info". If you have any questions you may call the Rectory. Tours of the church can be arranged at your convenience.
ReplyDeleteThom Amato / Webmaster St.Cecilia
Please tell me if a father Bob was ever a priest at this church i was baptized here in 1972 but remember this church as a young child visiting there
ReplyDeleteNot to be pedantic, just interested in such things and this is a tough nut to crack, but St. Francis de Sales' mosaics are from 1929 according to the 1929 parish bulletin. And they were made by Emil Frei Art Glass for $8500. The late 20's were the transition time between Emil Frei and Ravenna. It's murky at best.
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