The Old Cathedral, whose history dates back to the 1700s, is one of nine designated pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral) has been welcoming pilgrims since the days of westward expansion, when St. Louis was a brand-new city earning its nickname “Gateway to the West.”
During this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the Old Cathedral is one of nine Jubilee Pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese designated by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. The faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence — remission of the temporal punishment due to sins — by visiting any of the nine sites for a pilgrimage or pious visit, in addition to the usual conditions for an indulgence.
“What a great place to go and make your pilgrimage, because it all began at the Old Cathedral,” rector Father Nicholas Smith said. “The hope that would have been in these people’s hearts, as they would have pressed out to the West, hoping for a better life, hoping for different opportunities — they would have all passed through that church.”
The Old Cathedral’s history dates back to 1764 when Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau deeded a tract of land to the people of St. Louis, where a one-room log structure was erected to serve as the first Catholic church in the new city. A larger log church, then a brick church, were built before the current cathedral was completed in 1834.
From 1958-61, the cathedral underwent a renovation, and a parish rectory and museum were built. Pope John XXIII decreed the cathedral a basilica in 1961. Basilicas are significant churches that are given special ecclesiastical privileges and are named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship.
The Old Cathedral has been welcoming groups of pilgrims regularly for Mass and tours during the Jubilee Year, Father Smith said. The Jubilee Year materials available in the back of the church are being taken and replenished on a weekly basis, he added, another encouraging sign.
For first-time visitors, he recommends taking a copy of the self-guided tour of the church, available in the vestibule. Highlights are the painting of the crucifixion above the altar, a reproduction of Diego Velázquez’s “Christ Crucified;” and side altar paintings of St. Bartholomew’s martyrdom and St. Louis IX, both gifts to Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg, the first bishop of what is now the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Visitors can also learn more about the Old Cathedral and its place in history in the Old Cathedral Museum, which reopened in 2024. The archdiocesan Office of Records and Archives spent more than two years overhauling the museum by narrowing down the collection, curating items and documents that relate directly to the Old Cathedral and writing new interpretations for the entire museum. The museum exhibits revolve around the church itself while also placing it in the larger context of the archdiocese, the city of St. Louis and the western U.S.
Despite its long history, the Old Cathedral is sometimes overlooked even by people who have lived in the archdiocese their whole lives, Father Smith said. He hopes many will take the opportunity during the Jubilee Year to visit and pray in the church that has held so many previous generations of residents and pilgrims alike.
“This is a jewel of the archdiocese, without a doubt,” Father Smith said.
Visit the Old Cathedral
209 Walnut St. in Downtown St. Louis
Church hours: 6:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6:45 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Mass times: 7 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Monday through Saturday
7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (vigil) Saturday
8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Sunday
Confessions: 11:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday and 4:30-5:15 p.m. Saturday
Tours: Free tours offered on the first Sunday of the month following the noon Mass. For group tours at other times, email requests to oldcathedral@att.net or call (314) 231-3250.
Museum: For this month’s schedule, visit oldcathedralstl.org/museum-hours.
Jubilee Indulgences
Options to receive a Jubilee indulgence:
Pilgrimage to a sacred Jubilee site, where the faithful participate in Mass, another liturgical service such as Morning or Evening Prayer, or acts of piety such as Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary or a penitential celebration.
Pious visit: Individually or in a group, devoutly visit a Jubilee site and engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the profession of faith from Mass, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those who are unable to take part in pilgrimages or pious visits for serious reasons, such as cloistered religious, the elderly, the sick and those who care for them, or the imprisoned, may obtain the indulgence by uniting themselves in spirit with those making pilgrimages or pious visits, reciting an Our Father, a profession of faith, and other prayers in harmony with the purpose of the Jubilee Year, and offering up their sufferings and hardships to the Lord.
Works of Mercy and Penance: This includes participation in formational activities on the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism, initiatives that put into practice the spirit of penance, and performance of corporal or spiritual works of mercy. For the full details on Jubilee Indulgences, read the papal bull: stlreview.com/3POKFln
Help the souls in purgatory
The faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in purgatory, if they receive holy Communion a second time that day within Mass, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased.
Usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:
• Be in a state of grace and have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin
• Sacramental confession (can be received several days before or after)
• Reception of holy Communion
• Prayer for the pope’s intentions*
*Praying for the pope’s intentions…when there’s no pope?
While one of the conditions for indulgence is prayer for the pope’s intentions, the faithful can still fulfill that requirement during the period of sede vacante, said Father Smith, who is also director of the Office of Sacred Worship. The pope’s monthly prayer intentions were already published for the rest of the year; in May, the intention is for working conditions. Pilgrims can also pray for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul, Father Smith said.
Designated Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis | St. Louis
Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France | St. Louis
Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters | St. Louis
The Carmel of Saint Joseph | Ladue
Saint Mary’s of the Barrens – National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal | Perryville
Monastery of St. Clare | Oakville
Passionist Nuns of St. Louis | Ellisville
Immaculate Heart of Mary | New Melle
Immaculate Conception | Union
This is the fourth in a monthly series featuring each of the nine designated pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis during the Jubilee Year 2025. To read other stories in the series, visit stlreview.com/Jubilee-2025-sites or click the links above.
