Whereas Saint Nicholas Parish in Saint Louis, Missouri, was erected by my predecessor, the Most Reverend Peter Richard Kenrick, in 1865;
Whereas Most Holy Trinity Parish, Saint Nicholas Parish, and Saints Teresa and Bridget Parish were merged into the newly erected Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish on August 1, 2023;
Whereas the primary place of worship of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is Saint Teresa of Avila Church, colloquially known as Saints Teresa and Bridget Church, while the secondary place of worship is Most Holy Trinity Church;
Whereas Saint Nicholas Church, located at 701 North 18th Street in Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, is a church constituted within the territory of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis (cf., canon 1214);
Whereas Saint Nicholas Church, the second church to have been constructed at Saint Nicholas Parish in its history, was dedicated in 1962;
Whereas most of the roofing of the church, together with the adjoining rectory, school, and gymnasium needs to be replaced;
Whereas the mechanical systems providing heating and cooling to the church, together with the adjoining rectory, school, and gymnasium, need to be replaced;
Whereas the repairs to Saint Nicholas Church are cost-prohibitive and would represent an imprudent use of parish resources;
Whereas Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish does not have the financial means to repair and maintain Saint Nicholas Church together with the property at the former Most Holy Trinity Parish and Saints Teresa and Bridget Parish;
Whereas the closure of Saint Nicholas Church will not harm the good of souls since worship at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is being provided at the two other churches of the Parish;
Therefore, after having consulted the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis concerning the petition (canon 127 §2, 2°),
I, the Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Metropolitan Archbishop of Saint Louis, hereby decree, in accordance with the norms of canon 1222 §2, the closure of Saint Nicholas Church and its reduction to profane but not sordid use.
I direct that the altar and other sacred objects be removed and carefully stored (cf., canons 1238 §2 and 1239 §1).
This Decree is effective January 19, 2026. Its official notification is its publication in the St. Louis Review on December 15, 2025. I direct that the Pastor of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish announce at all Masses on the weekend of December 13-14, 2025, that this Decree has been published in the St. Louis Review.
Any member of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish who claims to have been aggrieved by this Decree has the right to seek its revocation or emendation (canon 1734). This request must be made in writing and postmarked no later than December 27, 2025, to the Most Reverend Archbishop of Saint Louis, Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63119.
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given in the offices of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, this first day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, 2025.
Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski
Archbishop of Saint Louis
Very Reverend Philip J. Bené, J.C.D. Notary
