Florissant in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J.

b. 1-30-1801 d. 5-23-1873

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 6, 2019

1. Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J. Marker

Inscription. Born in Termonde, Belgium, he came to the United States in 1821 and entered the Jesuit novitiate at White Marsh, Maryland. In 1823, he was sent to establish a new Jesuit mission in Florissant where he was ordained on September 23, 1827. Called the Black Robe by the Indians, it is said he traveled more than 180,000 miles on foot, horseback and ship, crossing the ocean 18 times to bring Christianity to Native Americans.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 38° 47.776′ N, 90° 19.957′ W. Marker is in Florissant, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is on St. Francois Street just west of North St. Charles Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is a sidewalk plaque. The closest building is the Girardier House, which is to the right of the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 North St Charles Street, Florissant MO 63031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lowell E. Girardier (a few steps from this marker); Catherine "Kay" Spring (a few steps from this marker); David L. Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosemary Straub Davison (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Gretchen Baum Crank (within shouting distance of this marker); Satoko "Sue" Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunset Greenway (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florissant.

Also see . . . Pierre-Jean De Smet on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 8, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 6, 2019

2. Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J. Marker

The sidewalk marker is under the lamppost. Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is seen in the background

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.