This church, called by Archbishop John J. Glennon "the pearl of the diocese", was completed in 1907. It is an anchor of the Shaw's Garden neighborhood, which simultaneously experiences both crushing urban decay and optimistic revitalization.
The church is in the "Celtic style" and was designed by the firm of Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett, who also designed the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The church has two towers; one is not visible here.
The following interior photos were taken on Ash Wednesday.
The interior was originally done in wood and plaster; starting in 1925, it was remade in Italian marble. Unlike most churches of this date, this has a wide nave without side-aisles. It seats 1200; according to the 2007 census, this church has about 1700 parishioners.
The sanctuary and altars at the front of the church are lit with tungsten lighting, while the nave appears to use fluorescent lighting. The colors may seem a bit odd because of this mixed lighting: the same object can appear greenish in one photo, and reddish in another. This looks fine to the eye, but it confuses the camera.
The altar, baldachin, and statues were done by Daprato Studios in Pietrasanta, Italy, well-know for its work with Carrara marble. The stained glass was from the Emil Frei Art Glass Company of Saint Louis.
The crucifix and tabernacle.
I didn't use a camera tripod at this church, so these photos are quite fuzzy and are not at all worthy of their subject matter.
Detail of the altar; the small table has containers of palm ashes for Ash Wednesday.
A detail of the marble baldachin. The sanctuary is richly painted.
Painting of angels above Bethlehem.
Detail of the sanctuary.
Painting of the three Magi, located to the left of the altar.
Altar of Saint Joseph.
Statue of Saint Margaret of Scotland (ca. 1045 - 1093). Queen of Scotland, foundress of abbeys, and friend of the poor. Her relics were mainly destroyed during the English Reformation and French Revolution.
Her feast day is November 16th in the new calendar, June 10th in the old, and July 16th in Scotland.
Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, otherwise known in the East as Mother of God of the Passion.
Baptismal font.
View to side of nave; musicians are here getting ready for Mass.
One of the ceiling's supporting arches.
Statue of Saint Anne, with a Bible, teaching the child Mary how to read.
Simon helps Jesus to carry His Cross.
A devotional niche in the church.
Holy water font, carved out of marble.
The narthex.
Address:
3854 Flad Avenue
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
Beautiful church. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I take it that the hangings of the baldachin change with the liturgical seasons?
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that the hangings are changed: I seem to remember seeing another photo showing white curtains.
This is an exceptionally beautiful church. The sanctuary is breathtaking, and I thought the drapery was a nice touch. I particularly liked the devotional statues; they reminded me of the images I was so fond off as a boy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow. Beautifully done photography. I was a member of this parish and served as an altar boy in the late 50s and early 60s. These photos took me right back there.
ReplyDeleteI received my First Communion, and Confirmation here, and served as an altar boy for countless baptisms, weddings and funerals.
Mass was still in Latin in those days, and I can still remember a few of the Latin responses.
I also remember when the pews pictured here were first installed, replacing the darker, higher-backed ones.
Truly a magnificent church. Thanks for posting.
Hello there! St. Margaret of Scotland underwent significant restoration in the church just 3 years ago. The paint was refreshed (first time since the 1950s) and the lighting has been converted to LED, illuminating our church beautifully and in an energy efficient, fiscally sound way. If you haven't been here since, this is a wonderful time to visit us and appreciate the renewed beauty of our house of worship. Please be sure and take a look at the Shrine of All Souls, in a former confessional on the east side of the nave, featuring our pieta which was restored last year.
ReplyDeleteCome celebrate the Feast of St. Margaret on Saturday, November 19, 2016 (the actual feast is November 16). We celebrate Mass at 4:30 with much pageantry (and a bagpipe!) then let the joy spill out onto the street for an evening of great food, warm fellowship and great fun. Learn more at: https://stmargaretstl.weshareonline.org/FeastDayFair
Grew up in This church as a young boy. Beautiful church. In the 1960 "s.
ReplyDelete