4431 Lindell Blvd.
Saint Louis, Missouri
314-373-8240

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, commonly known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral was built in between 1907 and 1909 as replacement for the Church of Saint Louis IX, King of France (the Old Cathedral.) The Old Cathedral, on the historic Saint Louis riverfront since 1770, served as the seat of the Diocese (later Archdiocese) of the Roman Catholic Church until the completion of the New Cathedral. The exterior of the Cathedral Basilica was designed in the Romanesque style. The massive granite walls boast rose windows supports the massive central dome tiled in green. Two half domes stand beside the main dome, and pointed twin towers flank the center of the front of the church. The distinctive dome and pitched roofs are a prominent sight in the St. Louis skyline. It has been said the Cathedral "possesses a majesty and magnificence unmatched in the American Midwest." In recognition of its beauty and historical significance, the Cathedral was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

Entering through the massive oak doors will take visitors into a sanctuary decorated in the Byzantine tradition with soaring domes, beautiful arches, pendentives, lunettes, soffets and mosaics. The mosaics are made with over 41,000,000 glass tesserae tiles using over 8,000 shades of color. The designs tell stories of faith and history. The mosaics show Christ's 12 apostles, 4 teachers of the early church, a portrayal of the Last Supper and scenes of Old Testament prophesies of Christ's coming. Other areas throughout the Cathedral contain equally stunning mosaic panels. Tiffany's of New York created the panels in the Blessed Vergin's Chapel of the Cathedral in the Italian style and show scenes of Mary's Presentation, Annunciation, Visitation to Elizabeth and the Assumption. Other panels depict the major events in the life of Saint Louis IX, King of France and namesake of the city, and milestones in the establishment of the Catholic Church in Saint Louis.

The Mosaic Museum is on the lower level of the cathedral. The museum dedicated to the mosaics in the church with displays on the construction of the building and the creation of its mosaics. The museum also contains displays of the other artifacts that can be found in the Cathedral. Also in the church basement is a mortuary chapel with a number of crypts for former leaders of the Archdiocese. Currently, Cardinals John J. Glennon, Joseph Ritter, and John J. Carberry, as well as Archbishop John L. May are buried in the Cathedral's crypt.

Visitors with children can pick up a brochure entitled "A Quest Among the Mosaics of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis." Children can use the list of 20 items in the brochure in a search for the unexpected among the mosaics of the Cathedral. The items include a boy on crutches, a deer, a dolphin and anchor, a globe of the world, a skull, and the Statue of Liberty.

Visiting the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Visiting Hours
The church is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm
Tours are available from 10 am to 4 pm Monday - Friday and at 1 pm on Sundays
The Mosaic Museum and the Cathedral Shop Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday: 12:30 pm to 4 pm
There is no charge to visit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
There is a $1 admission fee to visit the Mosaic Museum.