The Old Cathedral Museum

209 Walnut Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
314-231-3250

Admission: $1.00; free parking

https://www.oldcathedralstl.org/visit.html

Founded in ?; renovated in 2016

The Old Cathedral Museum is in the Old Cathedral! 

Upon approaching the building there are several signs that share the history of this church. 

This shows the size of the archdiocese soon after its establishment.  

More posted history including how it was designated a basilica. 

The entrance to the museum is on the left (west) side of the cathedral building. 

This is the largest gallery on the main level. 

This is the main gallery on the lower level. 

There are also displays in the hallways. 

On the lower level one can see the stone foundation of this 1834 building. 

The museum has many artifacts from the history of the cathedral including this Baptismal Font lid from about 1830 that was discovered in 2014 during restoration. The font is carved wood with a plaster St. John the Baptist. 

This Roman Missal was used until 1861. 

The Monstrance on the left is the original monstrance to the cathedral and was used for over a century.  The framed Zucchetto was worn by John Cardinal Glennon. 

This Monstrance is sitting on a tabor/pedestal from about 1890. 

This Zuchetto was worn by Pope Pius XII.

This steeple cross shows more of the history of the cathedral in the 1800's. 

This Baptismal Font is from about the 1840's. 

There is a wall display about Bishop Louis V. DuBourg who served the archdiocese 1815-1826. 

Bishop DeBourg's Pontifical, printed in 1727

These relics were brought from Europe to St. Louis by Bishop Dubourg in the 1800's. 

Prie Dieu, for kneeling to pray, from mid-1800's

Reliquary Box, one of four once used on main altar.

Carved Wooden Cross from about 1830 - Spanish influence

This Spanish Crucifix, reputed to be about 800 years old, was not used in the Cathedral but was donated to the museum a number of years ago. 

This Bronze Gong was used at the start of mass to present whoever was officiating. 

There are several display cases containing artifacts that were found when the church was renovated in 2014. 

These wooden water pipes were dug up during a 1960's renovation. 

This Carved Wood Grill Work from Choir Left was found and restored before displaying. 

The museum has two beautiful creches on display.  This one on the main floor is mid-19th century from Naples, Italy. The figures are constructed of wood and are wearing 16th century clothing. 

On the lower level is a very large creche acquired in 1866 at the end of the Civil War. It has an interesting history. 

Notice how the two large animals are represented by only heads that are attached to the wall. 

Bishop Joseph Rosati is buried below the cathedral behind this museum wall. 

This is a sick call box that was used by a Priest when calling on someone sick. 

Another sick call box - this one dated 1887. 

Assorted coins and medals. 

A Cigar Humidor from 1941, given to Cardinal Glennon.

This loaf of  bread was carried in the Offertory Procession for the mass of Cardinal Glennon when he was ordained a Bishop on June 26, 1896.  The papers on the Bread are painted with the coat of arms of the bishops. 

The Coat-of-Arms of Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick.  His motto was "Do not disturb the Lion."

Sheet Music Song Book from Kenrick High School

A plaque recognizing Christian Brothers School 

One of many paintings in the museum - St. Louis II, King of France by Matt Hastings.  Painted in late 1800's. 

One wall of the museum is devoted to religious women.

A display about St. Louis during the period the church came to be. 

A display of the parishes in Downtown St. Louis

Another wall display - Stations of the Cross

There are a number of pictures displayed that show the history of the cathedral and its different buildings.

And, of course, there is a gift shop!

After visiting the museum we did a self-guided tour of the cathedral itself. 

The pipe organ in the back!

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist is one of many paintings adorning the walls.  The original oil painting was attributed to Andrea Sabbatini (1487-1530) and this reproduction was painted by Charles Perry Davis (1858-1935) who was living in St. Louis at the time.  This was the first reproduction of a Sabbatini painting done in the United States. It was given by the artist to the cathedral over 100 years ago. 

Needless to say, many items in the cathedral are very ornate. 

The cathedral is the home to many statues. 

One of several ornate marble altars.

A Baptismal Font. 

We asked several people about this doll displayed on the back wall in a glass case but no one was able to tell us anything about it. 

The Old Cathedral sits on the Mississippi River waterfront right  next to the St. Louis Arch. 

Comments:  This museum has been on my museum list for over 4 years but was initially listed as closed for renovation.  The Cathedral website was not real clear for a long time as to whether it had re-opened.  Then I saw it had been opened on Fridays but closed in September 2019 temporarily.  So alas I called in October to learn that they were looking for someone to run the museum but in the meantime they would give us a private scheduled tour. By the time we went in February there was on board part-time a young man who met us and gave us a talk and a private museum tour.  We were his first group and his love of history was very obvious. But it was also apparent that the Cathedral still had not worked out what his role exactly will be ongoing.  Unless the website states that they are definitely open, I recommend calling to see if you can schedule a tour.  

The museum had many interesting items and it was nice to see that it was relatively recently renovated.  I did feel that it was a little unorganized which made this blog a challenge! It was nice that all items had information posted but several did not include any dates which left us with questions the new guide was unable to answer.  Hopefully there will be a full-time curator/director in the near future. 

Overall we were very glad we went to the museum and learned more about our city's early history.  We were there about one hour.

After touring the museum we spent some time in the cathedral itself.  Again we had some questions that went unanswered. It is gorgeous and many of us had been there previously before for a wedding, as it is a very popular venue for Catholic weddings. The Old Cathedral website has information about when one can visit the building. They still hold services there. There were a few other tourists enjoying the beauty of the space when we we visited. 

There is a parking lot with free parking just south of the building with signs explaining that the lot is just for those going to the cathedral.