Archdiocese of St. Louis

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The Archdiocese of St. Louis, an archdiocese of the Latin Rite, is an active metropolitan archdiocese in the United States. Established in 1826 by Pope Pius VII as a diocese and elevated to archdiocese in 1847 by Pope Pius IX, it is led by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski since 2020. As metropolitan see of the Province of St. Louis, it oversees two suffragan dioceses and serves about 522,000 Catholics across 178 parishes in eastern Missouri, notable for its Cathedral Basilica, which houses the largest collection of mosaics in the Western Hemisphere covering over 83,000 square feet.

Stored in Cargo: Archdiocese of St. Louis

Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Louis
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Archdiocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of St. Louis
Suffragan Dioceses:Diocese of Jefferson City; Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Country:United States
Region:Missouri
Bishop:Mitchell Rozanski
Website:https://www.archstl.org/
Newspaper:https://stlouisreview.com/
Catholic %:18.4%
Elementary Schools:82
High Schools:32
Deaneries:12
Priests:455
Existence:1826–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Bardstown
Catholic Hospitals:12
Rating:3.2
Chancery Address:20 Archbishop May Drive

St. Louis, MO 63119

United States

Establishment

The Archdiocese of St. Louis traces its origins to the Diocese of St. Louis, canonically erected on July 18, 1826, by Pope Pius VII through the apostolic brief Ex supremi Apostolatus apice, carved out from the Diocese of Bardstown.[1][2] It was elevated to the status of an archdiocese on July 20, 1847, by Pope Pius IX, becoming the metropolitan see for the new ecclesiastical province.[3]

History

Early Years

The diocese was established to serve the Catholic population along the Mississippi River west of the Appalachian Mountains, amid rapid immigration and missionary expansion in the American frontier. Bishop Joseph Rosati, the first ordinary, oversaw the construction of early churches and recruited clergy from Europe.[4]

Growth and Elevation

Under Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick, the see expanded significantly, with the construction of the original cathedral in 1834 and the establishment of numerous schools and hospitals. The elevation to archdiocese in 1847 reflected the region's growing Catholic presence, fueled by Irish and German immigrants.[5]

20th Century and Beyond

The archdiocese navigated challenges like the Great Depression, World War II, and suburbanization, leading to boundary adjustments in 1956 when western counties formed the Diocese of Jefferson City. The current Cathedral Basilica was completed in 1914, becoming a national shrine in 1997.[6]

Geography

The Archdiocese of St. Louis comprises the City of St. Louis and six counties in eastern Missouri:

  • City of St. Louis
  • Franklin County
  • Jefferson County
  • Lincoln County
  • St. Charles County
  • St. Louis County
  • Warren County

It forms the metropolitan see of the Province of St. Louis.[7]

Mother Church

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, dedicated in 1914, serves as the mother church. Renowned for its Byzantine Revival architecture and over 41.5 million glass tiles in mosaics—the largest collection in the Western Hemisphere—it was designated a minor basilica in 1997 and added to the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

Leadership

Current Archbishop

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski has served since June 24, 2020. Ordained in 1984, he previously led the Diocese of Springfield and emphasizes evangelization and synodality.[9]

Auxiliary Bishops

  • Edward M. Rice, appointed 2013, oversees vicariate regions and pastoral ministries; former vicar general.
  • Mark S. Ruzicka, appointed 2021, focuses on clergy formation; previously rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.[10]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Joseph Rosati, C.M. 1826–1843 First Bishop of St. Louis.
Peter Richard Kenrick 1841–1843
1843–1872 		Coadjutor 1841; Archbishop from 1847; longest-serving.
Patrick Ryan 1872 Coadjutor; later Archbishop of New York.
John Joseph Kain 1877–1895 Transferred from Wheeling.
John J. Glennon 1896–1917
1917–1946 		Cardinal from 1921; oversaw Basilica construction.
Joseph E. Ritter 1946–1967 Cardinal from 1961; Vatican II participant.
John Joseph Carberry 1968–1979 Cardinal; transferred from Columbus.
John L. May 1980–1992 President of USCCB 1986–1989.
Justin Francis Rigali 1994–2003 Cardinal; transferred to Philadelphia.
Raymond Leo Burke 2004–2008 Transferred to Roman Curia.
Robert James Carlson 2009–2020 Former Archbishop of Dubuque.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[11][12]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The archdiocese is rated as balanced (3.2), with Latin Mass offered weekly in a few parishes following diocesan guidelines, equal emphasis on pro-life initiatives and social justice programs like refugee services, and leadership under Archbishop Rozanski promoting unity and doctrinal fidelity amid contemporary challenges.[13][14]

Statistics

The archdiocese covers 3,320 square miles (8,599 km²), serving 522,442 registered Catholics (2021) out of a total population of 2,841,000 across 178 parishes and 12 deaneries.[15][16]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits run Saint Louis University and several parishes, focusing on education and retreat ministry. Jesuits.[17]

Dominican Sisters of St. Mary

The Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs staff Aquinas Institute and schools, emphasizing catechesis. Dominican Sisters.[18]

Franciscan Sisters of Mary

The Franciscan Sisters of Mary operate SSM Health hospitals, providing healthcare rooted in Franciscan spirituality. Franciscan Sisters of Mary.[19]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Archdiocese of St. Louis
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
_pageName City MailingAddress
St. Juan Diego Parish (Archdiocese of St. Louis) O'Fallon, MO 1400 N Main St, O'Fallon, MO 63366

The archdiocese includes 178 parishes organized into 12 deaneries, serving diverse urban, suburban, and rural communities with English, Spanish, and other liturgies.[20]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The archdiocese supports 82 elementary/middle schools and 32 high schools educating over 30,000 students. See List of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for the complete list.[21]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of St. Louis serves over 100,000 people annually with food, shelter, immigration, and pregnancy services through 50+ programs.[22]

Notable Events or Figures

  • St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, canonized 1988, founded the first free school for Native Americans west of the Mississippi in 1818.[23]
  • The 1904 World's Fair hosted a Eucharistic Congress in St. Louis, attended by over 40,000.[24]
  • Cardinal Joseph Ritter integrated Catholic schools in 1949, a decade before Brown v. Board.[25]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Archdiocese of St. Louis:


  • Did you know? The Archdiocese was the first bishopric established west of the Mississippi River in 1826, making it a pioneer outpost of the faith on the American frontier!
  • Wow moment! The Cathedral Basilica boasts over 41.5 million mosaic tiles covering 83,000 square feet—the largest mosaic collection in the Western Hemisphere—depicting over 20 Bible scenes.
  • Surprise! St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, a "woman on fire" for God, taught the Potawatomi children in Kansas and is the only canonized saint born in the archdiocese's territory.
  • Here's something cool: In 1904, St. Louis hosted the International Eucharistic Congress during the World's Fair, drawing pilgrims from around the globe to the city known as the "Gateway to the West."
  • Little-known gem: The archdiocese's Kenrick-Glennon Seminary has formed over 3,000 priests since 1915, including future bishops and even a cardinal!
  • Fun fact: Cardinal Joseph Ritter desegregated all archdiocesan schools in 1949—seven years before the Supreme Court's landmark decision—setting a bold example for civil rights.
  • Did you know? The annual Red Mass for lawyers and judges at the Cathedral Basilica draws hundreds, honoring St. Ives as patron of the legal profession since 1938.
  • Surprise! The archdiocese spans the iconic Gateway Arch area, symbolizing westward expansion, and includes historic sites like the Old Cathedral from 1834, the oldest west of the Mississippi.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Archdiocese of Saint Louis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html. 
    2. ↑ "Archdiocese History". https://www.archstl.org/history. 
    3. ↑ "Annuario Pontificio". https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccathep/documents/rc_con_ccathep_doc_20091127_ordinamento_en.html. 
    4. ↑ "Archdiocese History". https://www.archstl.org/history. 
    5. ↑ "Archdiocese of Saint Louis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html. 
    6. ↑ "Cathedral Basilica History". https://www.catholicshrinestl.org/history. 
    7. ↑ "About Us". https://www.archstl.org/about-us. 
    8. ↑ "Cathedral Basilica". https://www.catholicshrinestl.org/. 
    9. ↑ "Archbishop Rozanski". https://www.archstl.org/archbishop. 
    10. ↑ "Archdiocese of Saint Louis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html. 
    11. ↑ "Archdiocese of Saint Louis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html. 
    12. ↑ "Past Bishops". https://www.archstl.org/history/bishops. 
    13. ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://www.archstl.org/worship/liturgy/mass. 
    14. ↑ "Respect Life". https://www.archstl.org/respect-life. 
    15. ↑ "Archdiocese of Saint Louis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html. 
    16. ↑ "Statistics". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstls.html#statistics. 
    17. ↑ "Saint Louis University". https://www.slu.edu/. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.archstl.org/religious-orders. 
    19. ↑ "SSM Health". https://www.ssmhealth.com/. 
    20. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.archstl.org/parishes. 
    21. ↑ "Schools". https://www.archstl.org/schools. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://ccsstl.org/. 
    23. ↑ "St. Philippine Duchesne". https://www.archstl.org/saints/duchesne. 
    24. ↑ "History". https://www.catholicshrinestl.org/history. 
    25. ↑ "History". https://www.archstl.org/history. 

    External Links

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