Church of Ste. Genevieve - Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Posted by: BruceS
N 37° 58.759 W 090° 02.809
15S E 759382 N 4207636
Historic Catholic Church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Waymark Code: WM46E2
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/14/2008
Views: 75
"Church of Ste. Genevieve. 1876-1880; enlarged 1911.
Property type: church. This brick, Gothic Revival church sits on the site of an
earlier church. Portions of the foundation of this earlier church are visible in
the crypt. The central tower of the church, fenestrated with lancet windows,
dominates the skyline of the community. The church features polygonal transepts
and apse. The transepts and apse were built in 1911. Brick pilasters frame the
side bays of the building.
The main entry is contained in an arched entry way in the projecting central
bay of the east elevation. The entry is located in the base of the to\\er This
tower features an octagonal spire with triangular vents crowned by a Greek
cross. The spire rises from an octagonal base containing the bells, and this
base is set on square stage whose comers are marked by miniature spires. The
east facade has a parapet wall and the upper portions of the wall are ornamented
with brickwork in the form of pendants. The side walls have corbeled cornices.
The roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles. Cylindrical ventilators rise from the
roof ridge. Crosses rise from the west end of the sanctuary roof, from the apse
roof, and from the roofs of the transepts. A square brick chimney rises from the
south slope of the sanctuary roof. [C]"
The first Catholic church in present Ste. Genevieve was erected in 1795 from
log timbers salvaged from the previous church. In 1831, a stone church was
erected under the supervision of Vicentian Reverend Francis X. Dahman. This
building, known as the Rock Church, had a facade marked by a flat parapet and a
gable that rose from the center of the parapet. In 1876, work began on the
present church. Services continued in the old rock church as the new brick
church was built over and around it. The present church, which cost $24,000 was
dedicated in 1880. ~
Historic District National Register Nomination Form