Click here for part 2.
This is the University's Catholic Newman Center, located in a former residence in the village of Bel-Nor, one of the many small communities surrounding Normandy.
The fact that there are 91 municipalities in Saint Louis County is troubling to some, especially among those who value efficiency, standardization, and centralization. Normandy is at the center of the greatest concentration of small municipalities in the County: Bel-Nor, Bel-Ridge, Bellerive, Greendale, Cool Valley, Pasadena Hills, Pasadena Park, Glen Echo Park, Greendale, Beverly Hills, Norwood Court, Northwoods, Country Club Hills, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, Pine Lawn, Uplands Park, Hillsdale, Saint John, Hanley Hills, Vinita Terrace, Vinita Park and others are within a short distance. Many newly-prosperous Irish Catholics moved to this area starting in the 19th century; they knew that government serves best when it is local, and when its leaders are friends and neighbors.
The chapel in the Newman Center, with the tabernacle. You may notice that the walls need repair: perhaps you could donate your time or money for its repair. Much thanks to Fr. Bill Kempf, Director of the Newman Center and Archdiocesan priest, who generously spent time telling me the history of this area.
The Wilson Price Hunt house, now a business, built by a member of the founding family of Normandy, and completed in 1904.
Lucas was killed in a duel against fellow lawyer (and later United States Senator) Thomas Hart Benton, and his land passed to his brother James and sister Ann Lucas. Part of his land eventually became the University of Missouri, but many felt insult upon the naming of the first new building - Benton Hall - after Lucas' killer.
Lucas-Hunt Road runs along the eastern border of Normandy, after Ann and her descendants. The family was a great patron of the Church, with many institutions locating on their property.
This is the University's Catholic Newman Center, located in a former residence in the village of Bel-Nor, one of the many small communities surrounding Normandy.
The fact that there are 91 municipalities in Saint Louis County is troubling to some, especially among those who value efficiency, standardization, and centralization. Normandy is at the center of the greatest concentration of small municipalities in the County: Bel-Nor, Bel-Ridge, Bellerive, Greendale, Cool Valley, Pasadena Hills, Pasadena Park, Glen Echo Park, Greendale, Beverly Hills, Norwood Court, Northwoods, Country Club Hills, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, Pine Lawn, Uplands Park, Hillsdale, Saint John, Hanley Hills, Vinita Terrace, Vinita Park and others are within a short distance. Many newly-prosperous Irish Catholics moved to this area starting in the 19th century; they knew that government serves best when it is local, and when its leaders are friends and neighbors.
The chapel in the Newman Center, with the tabernacle. You may notice that the walls need repair: perhaps you could donate your time or money for its repair. Much thanks to Fr. Bill Kempf, Director of the Newman Center and Archdiocesan priest, who generously spent time telling me the history of this area.
The Wilson Price Hunt house, now a business, built by a member of the founding family of Normandy, and completed in 1904.
Charles Lucas (1792-1817) was a land speculator who purchased properties from distressed landowners following the massive earthquakes in New Madrid of 1811-1812, as well as being the recipient of government land grants. Lucas named his estate ‘Normandy’ after the homeland of his father, Jean Baptiste Charles Lucas, born in Pont-Audemer, Normandy, France. His home was on the property of what is now the Incarnate Word Academy, seen below.
Lucas was killed in a duel against fellow lawyer (and later United States Senator) Thomas Hart Benton, and his land passed to his brother James and sister Ann Lucas. Part of his land eventually became the University of Missouri, but many felt insult upon the naming of the first new building - Benton Hall - after Lucas' killer.
Ann Lucas built her home “The Shelter” in 1820. Located at 7836 Natural Bridge Road, the property eventually became the convent of Our Lady of the Cenacle, and now belongs to the Normandy School District. Ann married Theodore Hunt, who died in 1832, and afterwards married his brother, the explorer W. Price Hunt.
Lucas-Hunt Road runs along the eastern border of Normandy, after Ann and her descendants. The family was a great patron of the Church, with many institutions locating on their property.
Incarnate Word
This is the former convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas. This provincial house was founded in 1922, and is now the University Inn and Conference Center.
CONGREGATIO SORORUM CARITATIS A VERBO INCARNATO SAN ANTONIO TEXAS
LAUDETUR VERBUM INCARNATUM 1928
Cornerstone of the building, seen from two angles. On the left is the symbol of the congregation; on the right "praised be the Word Incarnate".
The former chapel.
Incarnate Word Academy, a girl's high school, was founded in 1932 and remains open.
Statue at the entrance to the school.
Daughters of Charity
This is the former Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity. This congregation was founded in Paris in 1633 by Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, and was dedicated to serving the poor. This building, now owned by the University of Missouri, retains the name "Provincial House".
Monogram of Mary as seen on the Miraculous Medal.
Cross on the wall of Seton Center, named after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, American Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, who adopted the Rule of the French Daughters of Charity.
Cornerstone of the Seton Center.
This was undoubtably a chapel. Now a computer lab, this was once a part of Marillac College (1955-1974), a Sisters college dedicated for the education of nuns.
Three steps up. The High Altar was here.
Exterior of the Provincial House's chapel. Owned by the University, this is now a popular chapel for student weddings, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is still offered here. Click here for photos of the interior of the chapel.
An empty grotto.
Daughters of Charity cemetery.
Churches
Saint Ann's Parish is venerable, dating from 1856.
Cornerstone.
SAINT ANN'S CHURCH DEDICATED BY
THE MOST REVEREND JOSEPH E. RITTER
ARCHBISHOP OF ST. LOUIS APRIL 27, 1952
FREDERICK J. SPRENKE PASTOR
JOSEPH DENIS MURPHY ARCHITECT
Sanctuary.
First Station of the Cross — Jesus is condemned.
Stained glass window.
Shrine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Saint Ann School.
This is the former Ascension/Saint Paul parish, which closed in 2008. Ascension parish, founded in 1945, merged in 1995 with Saint Paul the Apostle parish (founded 1909) in Pine Lawn.
The demographics of the area has changed over the years, with far fewer Catholics now living here, although you can still see garden statues of Our Lady in this neighborhood.
Mosaic, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, founded in 1954, in the nearby town of Ferguson.
Many thanks to Tina F., who alerted me to this area and generously drove me around to take photos.
Mosaic, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, founded in 1954, in the nearby town of Ferguson.
Many thanks to Tina F., who alerted me to this area and generously drove me around to take photos.
Thanks so much for posting these photos. We have some wonderful treasures here: the mother houses of the St. Joseph and Notre Dame sisters and the White House retreat center are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteDavid in South City
It is crushing to see so many Catholic structures converted to public buildings! The general flight of Catholics from "St Louis" proper and decay of St. Louis City over the past 50 years is depressing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these photographs! I am searching for my family's St Louis-area history; my great-grandfather (John William Carey 1872-1957) listed Normandy as his place of birth on his application for a SS# in 1936, and it's wonderful to have the opportunity to see some places that he might have been.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Baptists will have some nice building to choose from.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can help me. I graduated from Ascension School in Normandy in 1963. I am trying to remember the name of the Catholic Monastary behind the school where the school soccer fields used to be. thanks, Bob
ReplyDeleteAccording to the old Archdiocese parish history site the parish actually had it first Masses at the Passionist Monastery which stood where North Oaks Plaza is until 57/58. Several earlier topographical maps refer to it as Kenwood Seminary, but there is no hint of such a place existing on the internet.
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