Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Basilica of Saint Louis, King
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2009
1. Basilica of Saint Louis, King Marker
On this location the first church in St. Louis, a small wood structure was blessed on June 24, 1770. Six years later it was replaced by a larger church of white oak timbers blessed and used for divine service for the first time in early summer of 1776. It also served as the Cathedral for the installation of Bishop Louis DuBourg, the Bishop of Louisiana and the Floridas, who took up residence here January 5, 1818. Little more than two months later on March 29, 1818, the cornerstone for a brick Cathedral was blessed and placed. The brick Cathedral destined to remain unfinished was supplanted by the present stone church. Bishop Joseph Rosati, CM, blessed the cornerstone on August 1, 1831 and solemnly consecrated this church on October 26, 1834. On October 18, 1914, the title of Cathedral ceased when the present Cathedral located on the western edge of the city was blessed. However, on January 25, 1961, Pope John XXIII designated this historic church a Basilica, thereby conferring on it worldwide recognition. Today this is the Basilica of Saint Louis, King, Populary: The Old Cathedral.
Erected 1916 by Knights of Columbus.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1818.
Location.
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Regionally, this marker is 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 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: First Conference, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Domain (within shouting distance of this marker); Rue des Granges (within shouting distance of this marker); An Explosion Saves The City (within shouting distance of this marker); Eero Saarinen (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); KMOX (about 400 feet away); Abraham Lincoln Slept Here (about 400 feet away); Commercial Beginnings (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2009
2. Basilica of Saint Louis, King Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2009
3. Basilica of Saint Louis, King Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2009
4. Basilica of Saint Louis, King Marker
The Coronation of St. Louis IX, King of France-Above is a painting of the coronation of St. Louis as ninth king of France. The painting depicts the saint kneeling before the altar on the night before his coronation. Louis was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297. The painting was a gift of Louis XVIII to Bishop DuBourg in 1818.---The painting was restored in 1949 and again in 1999. The painting is inside the Basilica.
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2009
5. Basilica of Saint Louis, King Marker
As seen from the Basilica parking lot--The St. Louis Gateway Arch.
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 20, 2018
6. Basilica of Saint Louis, King
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,031 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on October 10, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 6. submitted on August 21, 2018, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
