The parish dates from 1880, and the rapid growth of the parish in recent years led to the construction of a large new church, located next to the old one.
The church spires can be seen for miles, for Dardenne Prairie is still relatively treeless, and is located on high ground.
The old and new churches, both of which are in daily use. We see the new church, emptying out after Mass, with the cemetery in the foreground.
The old church will be the cornerstone for a "New Urbanist" downtown area for Dardenne Prairie, which is currently under planning by the firm of DPZ. The city fathers hope to create from scratch a small town core out of what is now scattered farm fields and suburban tract housing. DPZ will hold a design charrette for this development on April 18-25, 2007, in the Knights of Columbus hall. Click for a recent article on urban planning in Saint Charles County.
The parish is on Highway N, originally part of the Booneslick Road, blazed by the pioneer and early Saint Charles settler Daniel Boone. Spanish land grants in this area date back to 1799. Click here for a history of early Dardenne Prairie.
Front door and golden cross atop spire of old church.
The nave of the old church is decorated in brown and gold color, which I hope are fairly accurately rendered here. This old church seats 300.
The altar, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a tabernacle located to the left of the altar.
The ambry is in the sanctuary, and contains the holy oils.
Statues of the Holy Family with the baptismal font.
XIIIth and XIVth Stations of the Cross.
Stained glass windows, originally donated by the St. Anne Ladies Society and the Saint Aloysius Young Mens Society.
Foundations for a new building are being laid here behind the old church. The parish has a school, with enrollment of over a thousand.
The rectory.
Here is the nave of the new, far larger, church, which dates from A.D. 2001. The church is generally of Postmodern design, incorporating a few traditional forms into what is generally a Modern building. The sanctuary is detached, and is in front of the tabernacle. The seating is fan-shaped around the altar, making this almost a church-in-the-round. The new church seats 1200 and was designed by Stauder Architecture.
The parish has approximately 11,570 members, making this one of the top ten largest in the Archdiocese. Territory from this and neighboring parishes was taken to form the new Saint Gianna Parish.
The sanctuary.
The tabernacle, located in a niche behind the altar.
Vth station of the cross.
Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Address:
7701 Highway N
Dardenne Prairie, Missouri 63368
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