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St. Ferdinand
Shrine |
You can
visit the site by coming to Florissant via 170 or 270. Take
either highway north. On 270 exit at Lindbergh North and continue
to Washington. Turn right on Washington to St. Ferdinand. Go
left on St. Ferdinand and you will pass the site of the dig
within two blocks.
If you travel
170 simply go north to Hanley Road. Go north and Hanley road
becomes Graham and finally St. Ferdinand. Stay on St. Ferdinand
and after Washington you will see the site on your left.
click
for map
click for driving directions
Old St.
Ferdinand Shrine and Historic Site is owned, preserved, maintained
and protected by Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, Inc., a non-profit
organization founded in 1959.
The date
the first settlers came to the rich, fertile Valley of Florissant
is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in the state
of Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled about the
same time as St. Louis. The first civil government was formed
in 1786 by Francois Dunegant who served as the civil and military
commandant. Spanish archives in Havana reveal that there were
40 people and 7 plantations in Florissant at the time of the
1787 census. The village called "Fleurissant" by its
French settlers and "St. Ferdinand" by its Spanish
rulers was a typical French village with its commons and common
fields.
St. Ferdinand's
parish was established in 1789 and soon became the community
center at what is now the Spanish Land Grant Park. The present
church was constructed in 1821 and is believed to be the oldest
Catholic church in the upper Louisiana territory as well as
the oldest standing church of any denomination west of the Mississippi
including all of the Louisianna Purchase Territory. St. Ferdinand
Shrine was an active parish until 1955.
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Sr. Philippine
Rose Duchesne |
The first
church, built of logs under the supervision of Hyacenthe Deshetres,
was erected on the southeast quarter of the block bounded by Rues
St. Charles, St. Ferdinand, St. Louis and St. Denis under a grant
from the local Commandant, Francois Dunnegant. On February 19,
1821, Father de la Croix laid the cornerstone fo teh new brick
structure which was to replace the little log church (destroyed
by fire in 1836). The cornerstone itself was a gift of Mother
Philippine Rose Duchesne, and in deference to ther the church
was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the invocation
of Saints Ferdinand and John Francis Regis. St. Duchesne, one
of Missouri's foremost pioneer women, was canonized on July 3,
1988, and lived in the convent from 1819 to 1827 and again from
1834 to 1840. Here she established the first school in Florissant.
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Old
St. Ferdinand Shrine, with its wings, forms a group of buildings
of unusual historical and architectural importance. The convent
wing, vuilt in 1819, is one of the few brick buildings of this
age and is almost in its original condition. It is considered
one of the best examples in brick of the Federal style architecture
in the state. All of the buildings have been listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, a cultural inventory of our nation's
irreplaceable resources, and form St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic
District.
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St. Ferdinand
Convent Wing |
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Special
annual events include:
- April:
Historical Reenactment Encampment at the Shrine grounds
by 1800's fur trappers, farmers and families from the 1800's,
including a Jesuit priest and people of the St. Ferdinand
De Florissant Territory.
- May:
Join in the Valley of Flowers celebration of Florissant
with games and a large family picnic!
- June:
Annual Membership Meeting, new members are encouraged
and special guests will be present.
- October:
Florissant Old Town Fall Festival, we participate with
special tours, baking bread, music and fun!
- November:
Feast Day Mass for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. All
are welcome!
- December:
Christmas Concert. Conducted by music director Mary Krummey.
No admission fee.
| TOURS |
| Sat
& Sun |
1:00pm
- 4:00pm
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Tour
this beautiful church and learn about the early settlers
of Florissant. The charge is your donation. Special tours
available by request.
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St.
Ferdinand Shrine will host monthly events in 2007
When you attend the event plan on taking
a tour of the Shrine - you will learn not only about the life
of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, but about the construction
of the Shrine and life in early Florissant.
FEBRUARY 14
On February 14 the Shrine will be open from 10am-7pm.
Come and hear about the connections between St. Ferdinand Shrine
and St. Valentine and about the beginning of Valentine's Day
involving the Roman Emperor Claudius II and a Christian martyr
Valentinus. On February 14th you will hear the "rest of the
story". Also at the Shrine a waxed, life size figure of St.
Valentine with bone relics is always on view. An 11:30 am mass
is planned for the Blue Army. Light refreshments will be served
throughout the day. What a great way to celebrate Valentine's
Day!
MARCH 17
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Saturday March 17 by having
a real corn beef and cabbage lunch at the Shrine. There will
be entertainment. Lunch will be served from Noon - 3:00 p.m.
This is a great way to spend the Florissant - Irish connection.
APRIL 21 & 22
The Shrine hosts the Annual Spring Encampment and Music Festival
on Saturday and Sunday April 21st & April 22nd. For two
days visit the encampment with the Living History Reenactors.
Learn about early lifestyles. Taste the marvelous bread baked
in an outdoor oven. On Saturday there will be a music festival
featuring local schools and churches. Mr. Scott Niskanen of
the Ferguson Florissant School District always brings music
played by students using recorders. This year will mark the
3rd Recorder Festival. If anyone is interested in participating
in the festival with other types of music, please call Bill
Bray at 314-831-4237 or call the Florissant Old Town Partners
office at 314-837-0033
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