17th Annual Student Research Conference
Interdisciplinary
The Basilica of St. Louis, King of France: An Aesthetic and Historical Analysis
Amanda L. Perschall
Dr. Cole Woodcox, Faculty Mentor
The Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, commonly known as the Old Cathedral, presents a rich history and symbolism to all that grace the building with their presence. It stands today some 172 years after its construction in 1831 as a beacon to not only St. Louis’s strong Roman Catholic community, but to the greater St. Louis community as well. It is hard to deny its historic significance as the first cathedral to be constructed West of the Mississippi River. The Old Cathedral stands as a physical remembrance to St. Louis’s founders and first residents. Situated in the midst of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which encompasses the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse, the Old Cathedral draws in the faithful and tourists alike. The Old Cathedral has gone through periods of growth, decline, and stagnation, but it has remained a definitive symbol of St. Louis’s Roman Catholicism.
Keywords: St. Louis Basilica, Old Cathedral, Roman Catholic , St. Louis , Architecture, History
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 44-1
Location: VH 1408
Time: 3:45