Monday, February 23, 2009

Photos of Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri

HERE ARE PHOTOS of Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, located about 17 miles northwest of downtown Saint Louis, in suburban Saint Louis County.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - church and school

The shrine was home to Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852), who lived here in the years 1819-1827 and 1834-1840.

The church, in the background, was originally constructed in 1819-1821, and has been enlarged and restored since.  The brick structure replaces a log church dating from 1790. The old school, foreground, dates from 1888.

The church is owned by a non-profit organization, but it remains consecrated, and Holy Mass is sometimes offered here.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Rectory exterior

The rectory now houses a bookstore and museum, as well as the confessional used by Mother Duchesne.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Convent exterior

The Convent where Mother Duchesne lived, dating from 1819.  Click here for photos of the interior.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Church nave

The nave of the church.  The pews are original, and are rather small for contemporary Americans. The high altar dates from 1881, and replaces older altars which can be found elsewhere on the premises, including in the convent.

The unusual arched ceiling give the church excellent acoustics.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Church altar

A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is above the center of the altar of sacrifice. Beneath are relics of the martyr Saint Valentine, in an effigy. The paintings are thought to be from the workshop of Rubens.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Church altar detail

The altar is ready for a Gregorian Mass.

The Blessed Sacrament is not reserved here.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Convent balcony 2

A balcony in the convent offers a view of the altar.

Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine, in Florissant, Missouri, USA - Church pipe organ

Pipe organ in the choir loft.

These photos were taken on August 31, 2008, and were taken for a particular project but not used until now. My older photos of Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine are found here and here.
Posted by Mark Scott Abeln at 2/23/2009 06:01:00 AM
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6 comments:

  1. Mark unrelated comment/thought. I was watching the travel guru Rick Steves yesterday and I was finally enough concerned that I googled the following phrase "is Rick Steves anti-Catholic" and was astounded by the number of sites that came back. I have watched with facination his travel shows over the years any only recently have I noticed what sounded like jabs at the Catholic Church. Perhaps was just wasn't listening before but my concerns must be felt by many others. I am able to differentiate the political/historical "church" from Catholicism and am still detect some bias in his statements have you ever given this any thought?
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  2. I used to enjoy watching Rick Steves' show on PBS and didn't notice a bias, although this was before my conversion. Steves is a practicing Lutheran which undoubtably shapes his viewpoint.
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  3. Do you know if a visiting priest would be able to use the glorious altar to pray an mass in the Extraordinary form?
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  4. Well I have a few Lutheran friends and would have to say this attitude is not evident in them! However the blogs and other sites seem to indicate that his wife is/was Catholic and that his mother in law continues to be.
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  5. Mother in law! That explains it!
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  6. Christopher,

    I have no idea... you might want to contact the Shrine, which is linked at the top of the article.
    ReplyDelete

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