The beautiful former St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, at the corner of Clara and Maffitt, is now owned by Perpetual Praise and Worship Ministries.
It was created in 1893, and closed in 1992, when it and a host of other northside parishes were folded into “New” St. Augustine’s, the former St. Barbara’s in nearby Hamilton Heights.
St. Edward’s also has a very important place in Archdiocesan history, as it played a role in the confrontation between priests and parents fighting the desegregation of parish schools. The parents lost. Another location featuring prominently in this battle was German House in Lafayette Square.
I’ll have to admit; I first thought this was an Evangelisch Lutheran church at first, since the Roman Catholic Archdiocese rarely dabbled in the English Gothic Revival, but I grew suspicious when I saw the bridge from the house next door. This has to be a Roman Catholic church, I thought! Just look at the cool roof on the rectory.
Chris, I too thought it might be an “Evangelisch Kirche.” The stained glass seem to be un-Roman Catholic but the crosses seem un-Lutheran at the time of construction. Danke for this posting.
Went to school/church here. Could walk from home on Powers Ave.
was in early 40s. Wonderful memories walking to wells ton. Taking streetcar to downtown. So sad childhood is not the same for my grandkids.
My Mom also went here as well
Passed in 2020 looking to do a Burial Graveside Service from this Church
Sharon Guilfoy
I think my dad and uncle might have gone to school here … Victor & Norman (Ted) Brunelli
I can recall in the early 1950’s when the African American kids were allowed to attend St. Edward’s School, that one of the very first of these black kids had absolutely no fear. He did, however, cause fear in many of the students already
attending there, of which I was one. He would bully everyone…even the Nuns. I, and others, got a daily “roughing up” by this new 2nd grader who was a good head taller and much heavier than many of the 4th graders. I remember hearing parents say they thought he was at least 10 years old. At any rate, THAT was our introduction to racial integration in 1950-ish St. Louis, Missouri. Not much has changed.
We’re not supposed to say anything but who then? who else? They could not get blacks to attend by the time we moved away from the area in 1963. Ten-thousand dollars was put into new plumbing for my beloved school only to be torn down several years later. No matter what they tried black kids were not into school. It was a perfect school and parish in every way. The Catholics were something in those days. I could see the church steeple from our living room. St. Edwards Church was everything to me growing up on Roosevelt street. The architecture is an austere English Gothic. I often wonder what happened to all the school desks and gorgeous statuary. It is deplorable what has happened to North Co. And the church’s liberal views got them nowhere.
I was one of those black -and Catholic- kids who attended St. Edwards, for first grade (1963) – before our family moved out of the city. One of the teachers I will always remember- and loved – Sr. David Joseph… who kept a relationship with my family for many years after we moved, well into my teens. She came to our home & tutored me on the weekends when I was struggling with math as a child (and had dinner with us after). I will ever be grateful to her, and that school. I lived close, and am truly sorry to see the decline of the neighborhood.
Wow I went to church there was an alter boy and went to grade school there. And walked to school. Lived on Arlington st. It was in the 40.s. Wow memory’s. And went to Hadley tech high school.
My mom went there as well in 40s
Sharon Guilfoy
She passed in Oct 2020
Looking to do a graveside service from St Edwards Since this will be a complete Circle as TS ELIOTT STATES
I played soccer at Saint Edwards. Captain of undefeated team 196 1957 . a great parish I lived on Greer avenue.fowler BOHN moore BUSS vesPER kOZIATEK Fowler Swick burgameyer brockmeyer mcdermott georgie Burger Massa hubbard Cronin kilcullen obrien cousin PII neighbors
Nane is PILS NOT PIL ON BOB boehm email also should include Sheldon as cousin brother john ray dick sisters mary margaret charlotte theresa Dorothy PATSY IRENE avd THOMAS EDWARD
Went to school there graduated in 1957. Was told the school was torn down. Sad.
Pat ( Patricia Moses ) Jackson
St. Edwards was a core part of my childhood. I adored this church. I would attend Mass during summer break. Catholic discipline. The Mass then in Latin, was structured; the hymns were gorgeous melodies. The school across the street formed much of who I am today. I was a big fish in a little pond there. The Sisters of St. Joseph were really something if not for striking the fear of God in you. I remember names of those who donated on the mosaic windows. We did the REAL stations of the cross all through out Lent. I moved away in 1979. It was me and a classmates duty to distribute the Parish Praise and Sings books. The last time I visited I was accidentally locked in! It breaks my heart into a million pieces to see what has happened. And it’s not Christian like to expound as to why. However, I had only two blocks to walk to Roosevelt which is now also a blighted street with my childhood home turned into a backfilled urban lot. I keep a photo of St. Edwards in many places throughout my home and forever in my heart.
Went to St. Edward’s. 1st through 8th grade. Graduated in 1957.