Florissant, MO, 63031
314-837-2110
URL : http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/oldf
overview : Oldest Catholic Church between the Mississippi and Rocky Mountains .. founded in 1770. This congregation was located at what we know today as the 'Old Cathedral' (below the Gateway Arch). It was originally a log church, then rebuilt in 1776, and later constructed of brick in 1820.
collections : Visitors coming to St. Ferdinand will notice once they enter inside, that most of the Church is constructed of logs, with only the exterior and front section of the building constructed of bricks. It was here on September 23, 1827 in this log church building that Father Peter De Smet (known to the Indians as 'Black Robe') was ordained in the Catholic Church. Father De Smet became missionary to the Indians and traveled over 180,000 miles across the American West.
topics : religious
