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Monday, April 03, 2006

Photos of Saint Michael the Archangel Church, in Shrewsbury, Missouri

Here are photos of Saint Michael the Archangel Church, in Shrewsbury, Missouri, located 9-1/2 highway miles southwest of downtown Saint Louis. Click on any photo for a larger version.


This is one of three Archangel churches constructed within a ten year period in this area. This particular church is the oldest, and was built with a traditional design; the other two churches are transitional between traditional and modern design.



The main door of the church.



The belltower.



TO THE HONOR & GLORY
+ . . . OF GOD . . . +

MOST REV. J. J. GLENNON
ARCHBISHOP

REV. JOS. PREUSS
PASTOR

ANNO DOMINI
1940



AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA
The Virgin Mary with the infants Jesus and John the Baptist. This pottery decoration is located under the porch leading into the side of the church.



View of nave towards altar.



The main altar.



View of reredos behind altar, of carved wood in the Gothic style.



Stained glass showing Saint Michael the Archangel. He is conventionally shown with a flaming sword, and is invoked when waging spiritual warfare.



Side of sanctuary, showing the sanctuary lamp. In the English style, the sanctuary is rectangular in shape; in Europe, the sanctuary is often rounded into an apse.



View of sanctuary vault. Note the Latin name of the sacraments on the sanctuary arch.



The tabernacle. The sanctuary lamp is not seen in this photo, being located off to the right.



The altar rail has decorative metalwork. Behind it is the tabernacle.



The infant jesus.

THE MORE YOU
+ HONOR ME +
THE MORE WILL
I BLESS YOU +

Devotion to the Child Jesus is ancient, and helps remind us that we are ultimately dependent and helpless like an infant. It is a devotion against improper pride.



Left aisle.



The left stained glass window shows the shell used in baptism.

The Fifth Station of the Cross, Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross.

The right window shows crossed quills, symbolizing learning.



Station VII, Jesus falls the second time.



Altar of Mary. In front to the right are groceries donated to the Saint Vincent de Paul society.



View of right aisle.



View to side of nave, showing the Gothic arches in front of the side aisle.



The vaulting of the church exposes the structure holding up the roof. It is both functional and decorative.



Cherub at base of arch.



Stained glass window on the front door. Alpha and Omega, first and last. Traditionally, the "western" door of a church—that is, the door opposite the high altar;—often symbolizes the person of Christ, being a double-door under one arch, with one door representing His human nature, and the other His divine nature.




Mass times.

Address:

7622 Sutherland Avenue
Shrewsbury, MO 63119

3 comments:

  1. Question: Regarding St. Michael's in Shrewsbury, what is the story behind all the coat of arms's around the sanctuary. Is it the seat of the auxillary bishop? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The coat of arms above the ombrellino is that of Archbishop Burke. The others arms belong to bishops, but I don't know who!

    I don't know where Bishop Hermann resides, or why they would have these arms here. Typically they are only seen, as you guessed, in Cathedrals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bishop Helmsing was raised in Shrewsbury and attended St. Michael's. For many years he annually administered the sacrament of confirmation at St. Michael's.

    ReplyDelete