Basilica of St. Louis, King of France

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The Basilica, better known as the Old Cathedral, located near the Gateway Arch, visible on the right.

The main altar.

The Basilica of St. Louis IX, King of France, colloquially the Old Cathedral and formerly the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, was consecrated in 1834. It was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River and until 1845 the only parish church in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of two basilicas in St. Louis, and is named after Louis IX of France, the namesake of St. Louis.

It is located on the historic riverfront of St. Louis, near the Gateway Arch. Because of the historical signifance of the church, it was left intact while the neighboring buildings were all torn down to make way for the Gateway Arch.

The church is noted for its classical marble altars, a painting of a vision of Saint Louis, given by Louis XVIII of France, and an accurate replica of the painting of the crucifixion by Diego Velázquez.

The church basement has a number of artifacts dealing with the history of the Diocese (and later, Archdiocese) of St. Louis. Bishop Joseph Rosati, who had the Old Cathedral built, is buried within a vault in the basement.

[edit] Old Cathedral and New Cathedral

By the early 20th century, the Old Cathedral had become too small: visiting officials had difficulty finding the church, and the population center had moved west with the expansion of the city. Archdiocesan officials began planning for a new Cathedral.

In 1914 the Catholic archdiocesan seat was moved to the New Cathedral, and the Old Cathedral was renamed the Church of St. Louis IX, King of France. On January 27, 1961, Pope John XXIII signed the decree to name the original Cathedral of St. Louis a basilica, giving it the present name.