629 William Street
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
573-335-9347
Historical records of the Catholic Church in the Cape Girardeau area date back to May of 1821, when Mass was celebrated in the home of D.F. Steinback, son-in-law of Cape Girardeau’s forefather, Louis Lorimier. By 1825, a Vincentian priest, Father John Timon, travelled on horseback from St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary in nearby Perryville to celebrate Mass with local Catholics on a regular basis. It was Father Timon who advised the Church that there was the need for a permanent place of worship in Cape Girardeau. In 1833 In Father Timon celebrated Mass in a warehouse belonging to Don Louis Lorimier, the Spanish Commandant. This warehouse, near Lorimier's home, the Red House, became the first temporary church. It was also in 1833 that land was purchased near the banks of the Mississippi River to build a church. St. Vincent de Paul Parish dates back to April 9, 1836, when Father John Mary Odin left St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary to become the first resident pastor. He dedicated the parish under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. Church services continued to be held in an old warehouse, as plans began to build a permanent structure.
In 1833, land was purchased near the banks of the Mississippi River to build a church for Catholics in the area. St. Vincent de Paul Parish dates back to April 9, 1836, when Fr. John Mary Odin, C.M., left St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary to become the first resident pastor. He dedicated the parish under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. Church services were held in an old warehouse, as plans began to build a permanent structure. The original church building was completed in 1839 on the original site of Louis Lorimier's Red House. The cornerstone was laid in the first church by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis and the vial in the cornerstone contained the names of Pope Gregory XVI, President Martin Van Buren and Governor Lilburn Boggs. This church stood until 1850 when it was destroyed by a tornado. The following spring, construction began on a second church building at the same location. The new church was consecrated on July 27, 1853, and still stands today on Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau, and is now known as “Old St. Vincent’s.”
Old St. Vincent's Church was slated for destruction when a new parish church was built in the west section of the city in 1976. A small group of about 15 people set about to save the original parish church. They approached the bishop and the provincial of the Vincentian Fathers for permission to preserve and restore this historic structure and were granted permission in 1977 when Old St. Vincent's was declared a Religious Cultural Center by Bishop Bernard Law. This small enthusiastic group spearheaded the first successful fund drive and committed themselves to see the project to completion. They began research in Vincentian an archives gathering information on the original structure. This research revealed that Old St. Vincent's is very much like churches built in England and Ireland in the 1850's. The architect, Thomas Waryng Walsh, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1827 and came to America in 1849. Old St. Vincent's Church Renaissance architecture, referred to as English Gothic Revival style, is a rare example of this style of church in America. Restorations have included exterior renovation, new stained glass windows using the original design, and that walls and ceiling have been hand painted and trimmed in gold leaf. The Stations of the Cross, statues, and the baptismal font have been restored. New wrought iron chandeliers were added and the inside vestibule doors were restored with new etched glass. Historical artifacts which have been preserved were placed in the small museum in the back of church. Old St. Vincent’s Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visiting Old St. Vincent's Church
The public is invited to mass on Sundays at 10 am and tours are given upon request (minimum 10 people.)
There is no charge to visit Old St. Vincent's Church
Learn more about the community of Cape Girardeau
Old St. Vincent's Church - The official website of Old St. Vincent's Church