If Kansas City is the City of Fountains, St. Louis might very well be the City of Churches – all kinds of churches, on every corner, and representing all denominations.
In fact, according to the nonprofit research tool Cause IQ, there are 3,657 religious organizations across the metro area, including St. Louis and St. Charles. Although much of the population identifies as Christian, its religious makeup of Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, and other backgrounds mean it’s as diverse as the city itself.
With so many different faiths in play, it’s natural to wonder about the spaces of worship where people gather for prayer and community. One such place – marked by its shimmering, deep green dome – comes to mind: the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
Construction on the Basilica began in 1907 and cost $1 million, though its website notes that “this monumental sum in the currency of the time … is by no means reflective of the actual cost of the completed building.” George Barnett was chosen as architect, and in October 1914, the Basilica celebrated its first Mass. It was consecrated in 1926 and designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997…