Let Us Begin.
At last, it is our turn to contribute to this masterpiece, this stunning house of God.
Since its founding, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis has developed to meet the needs of the day. Each generation, in its own time, has contributed something to this shared heritage, this treasure that is our Mother Church.
Every part of this building reflects the faith and courage of the faithful men and women who came before us.
Now, it is our turn.
The Cathedral Basilica is no museum; it is a living Church, crafted over a century through the hard work and sacrifice of the people of St. Louis, all for the Glory of God.
Thanks be to God, recent work has done so much to restore (and even elevate) the beauty of this great church, honoring the sacrifice and faith of those who came before us. Tuckpointing, interior lighting, a new organ, and restrooms have all been the fruit of this ongoing generosity, so characteristic of our city.
With proper care, this magnificent building can last for centuries to come. Through much prayer, study, and careful discernment—including well over one hundred conversations and interviews with members of the community and multiple surveys—leadership of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis has identified several practical efforts to protect our Mother Church.
By making necessary improvements to the rectory, we can provide a lasting home for the future priests who will serve the Cathedral Basilica. This will provide a space for these holy men of God to live, study, work, and welcome guests.
By completing repairs on the roof, we can safeguard immediately the physical integrity ofthe building. This first line of defense against the elements is vital for the preservation of the restoration work that has been completed in the Cathedral Basilica’s interiorand facade.
By creating an endowment, we can maintain this irreplaceable cornerstone of our community in perpetuity. The value of this prudence cannot be overstated: an endowment and the maintenance for which itprovides will give future generations the financialfreedom to pursue even bolder apostolic endeavors.
In the daylight, the Cathedral Basilica is a fixture of the St. Louis skyline that bears visible witness to the heights of human creativity and faith. The Cathedral Basilica's graceful and powerful facade invites all who see it into greater contemplation of beauty.
But at night, when such beacons of beauty (and safe-haven) are most sorely needed, the Cathedral is relatively invisible. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. By ensuring that this facade shines against the dark of night, we have an opportunity to draw this jewel of our city, of our Church, out of the darkness.
Lighting the exterior of the Cathedral Basilicawill highlight its architectural beauty and cultural significance in a new and dramatic way. Strategically placed lighting will accentuate the Cathedral’s intricate stonework, towering spires,and magnificent dome, creating a breathtakingvisual experience that extends into the evening.
This illuminated masterpiece will both enhance the Cathedral’s presence in the St. Louis skyline andserve as a symbol of and testament to the human spirit’s longing for beauty, drawing attention to the Cathedral’s role as a source of refreshment for yearning souls.
From the city's founding, St. Louis has played an indispensable role in the Church in America. The same spirit of evangelization and courage that made St. Louis the “Rome of the West" continues to this day.
“. . . Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house”
– 1 Peter 2:5
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis belongs to all of us. The Cathedral’s influence extends even beyond religious bounds, often hosting civic funerals for non-Catholics (such as policeofficers killed in the line of duty), consoling weary patients and families from the neighboring Barnes Jewish Hospital who seek a moment of peace amidst the trials of life, and welcoming the other 275,000 annual visitors to whom the Cathedral’s doors are open each and every day.
The new center for evangelization and formation on the Cathedral Basilica’s campus will strengthen the parish and Archdiocesan communities that have grown around this wellspring of beauty.
This new center, designed to reflect and honor the beauty and architecutral heritage of the Cahtedral Basilica, will serve the whole Archdiocese as a fitting place to gather for fellowship, formation, and prayer. The center will also provide a place to extend truly Catholic hospitality to neighbors, visitors, and pilgrims alike.
By their response to grace, the faithful of St. Louis demonstrated time and again that their love for Christ was as steadfast as the stones from which the Cathedral is hewn. God is calling each of us to similar, heroic faith.
We are called by God to pass on a Holy Church that is more vibrant than the one we inherited. And all the while, we mustgrow in greater love for Christ and each other. Let us begin!