Here are photos of the interior of the former motherhouse's chapel. While no longer consecrated as holy ground — no longer set aside for Christian worship — the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the Missal of Pope Paul VI is still offered here to students and faculty of the University.
Exterior of the chapel, taken from the courtyard of the former motherhouse, which is located in UMSL's South Campus. The building dates from 1914.
The basic structure of the chapel has been maintained, along with its elaborate carved wood ceiling and marble altars, although the icons have been largely removed.
A view from the side. Note that the chapel is missing its Stations of the Cross, while niches that formerly contained the consecration crosses remain. The stained glass windows have been largely removed, although a few endure for the time being. As these windows are consecrated as icons worthy of veneration, they must be removed from this now-secular place.
A view to the back of the nave.
Following are photos of the remaining stained glass windows. As these are likely to be placed in storage, this is probably the last time these can be viewed by the general faithful.
St. Elizabeth ministering to the poor.
Apparition of St. Agnes in the catacombs.
St. Barbara offering spiritual consolation.
Our Lord Appearing to Margaret Mary. Our contemporary devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, some of which derives from the private revelations of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, is observed by a feast 19 days after Pentecost.
Sister Appoline Andriveau receives the Red Scapular.
Saint Vincent de Paul among the galley slaves.
The stained glass window, which formerly was behind the pipe organ, is now located at the Sister's new Provincial House in the Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis.
The old high altar.
If you look carefully at the photos of the nave above, you can see that this altar is surrounded by an odd metal screen. I think the intent was that this was to become a private devotional area.
Stone carving in the chapel has shamrocks.
In Memory of James Boro.
In the old Sacristy.
These photos were taken on April 3rd, 2009. Many thanks to Tina F. who alerted me to this place, and who gave me an extensive tour of the area.
Please see my older photo essays:
Normandy, Missouri - the "Little Rome of the West", part 1
Normandy, Missouri - the "Little Rome of the West", part 2
These are fantastic pictures! Thanks for capturing such a beautiful part of St. Louis' Vincentian history.
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in seeing the windows that have been removed, many of them were relocated to the Daughters of Charity provincial offices on Olive Street.
I would really enjoy seeing the windows! Who would I call to visit? Could I take photos?
ReplyDelete