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 am Black and my grandmother was Catholic. We lived in walking
distance of Saint Edwards Church, my aunt and uncle
along with other Black children attended Saint Edwards school both aunt and uncle graduated from
Catholic high Schools. As Black children in the early
60’s most of us went to public school and loved
school we had some of the most amazing and dedicated Black teachers, who emphasized the importance of education and you learned period.
when schools were integrated during that time we had to literally fight to go to school and learn when we had some White teachers who did not want you in the school, AMES for instance. They would tell
you they did not want you in the school, would not call on you if you raised your hand to answer a question, and ignored classmates who threatened
violence on Black students after class while in class.
So to comment that Black kids were not interested in
school, when we historically fought to stay in schools
when we were not wanted is offensive. I have two college degrees and graduated from both with honors thanks to the amazing and dedicated teachers I had.
Right on sister, class of 1969 before it closed and transferred to North Kingshighway
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.
My mother was married there .
I went to school from 1960 -1964
My mom’s parents lived on Clare
Then we lived in the same house 1960 -1964 .
Tell the truth I really do not remember any bad stuff .
The way I remember it in 8th grade
All black except 6or7 white
And do not remember any bad stuff we all seem to get along .
Well back in those days the majority of people both black & white had manners, and were raised to treat others with respect.
Nowadays, everyone walks around with a chip on their shoulder ready to shoot to kill. Kids aren’t made to behave in school. Drugs are everywhere. No involved parents equates to no morals. Maybe being “woke” isn’t as great as Hollywood makes it out to be? Life seemed better and safer when we were “asleep”.
Well put Lester. The tolerance of this behavior in society does us all harm.
My family lived in the parish for many years, I attended St. Edward’s and graduated in 1956, We lived on Ashland Ave and of course in those days everyone walked to school. I remember that the Sunday Mass for the students was in the basement of the church and the Nuns would check attendance. Too bad that today’s kids can’t have all the fun we did growing up. Since no videol games and little TV, we made up our own games and were always outside doing something.
I also grew up in St. Edwards as my sister. We lived on highland so it was a walk 4 times a day unless we ate lunch that was not often.I think I graduated in 56 and then went to Rosati Kain. High school Life seemed so much easier then. Does anyone remember the little mom and pop store?
My family lived on Burd Ave walking distance to Saint
Edwards church. I am Black and attended that church
for many years who was a devout Catholic, as a child
I attended church and bible study after church which
was held in what I would call the basement of the church. I remember walking to the church with my
grandmother for sunrise services, midnight mass held Xmas eve, my uncle Edward Charles was baptized in that church. both he and aunt went to
and graduated from Catholic school. My grandmother stayed in that church and when she became too ill a priest would come to the house, I
was about 10 years old. There was a Mom and Pop
store on the corner of Burd, we called it Miss Polly’s
In the late 50’s and 60’s the area was nice, people
took pride in what ever they had. My family left St.
Louis in 1978, came back and when I drove through
the city my brother and I wanted to cry. It was in 1984
love hearing about ST. EDWARDS WENT THERE IN THE MID-40S it was a great school nice neighborhood to live in the school will always be on my mind I NOTED THE OTHER DAY ABOUT END OF SCHOOLTRIP IN MAY to TWIN LAKES I WAS WRONG IT WAS WEST LAKES I SHOULD KNOW SOME OF YOU PEOPLE AS WE ALL LIVE SO CLOSE -WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME -MAY GOD BE WITH ALL
Yep Frank, those were the days. I believe the Dowds lived on labadie. I loved living on the horseshoe. Bob Holmes was my best friend. His olderbrother MUGGSEY used to beat me up . I do remember the Callaghans. Ben was in my class. I miss spending summer time at Flood field. Dairy Queen across the street. Always congregated at that big tree in the boys play area when in grade school. That concrete hurt when you fell from running . Sr. Bonaventure always favored the boys that went to the seminary. I went 3 years before going to McBride. The brothers of Mary were a wild bunch.
We lived on Belt Avenue. My family moved into the St. Edward’s parish around 1920.
My mother not only made her First Communion and Confirmation there but my parents
were also married in St. Edward’s Church. My older brother, younger sister and myself
walked back and forth to school. However, when there was a lot of snow, we had lunch in the
school basement. Does anyone remember that each classroom had a library? Or do you
remember Father Murray who became Vical General? I graduated in 1950.
I went to St. Edward’s school . Graduated in 1957. Lived on Labadie.
Pat ( Patricia Moses ) Jackson
Good memories!
Sister Beauvier (Joseph: I Believe) was atracher at St. Edwards grade school 19XX -1959. I had her in 57 while in the 6th grade. As I remember she was a tall woman and respected and feared by all students. She was instramental in my becoming an alter boy. I was told she had taught two generations of boys only. She was the most famous Sister of that time. She died in1959 (or 60) and had one of the largest processions of mourners ever known to that area. I always respected her as she had a firm grip on all students. She simply looked at you and you knew you were in trouble. I am an author and a poet. My name is Raymond G. Schmidt II, I’ll be 82 in October and still hold her in special esteem for her guidance.
Remembering living on Ashland Ave. (the horseshoe), loved candy apples at Brays candy shop, hard to get bubble gum in the 40,s, the bakery at the loop. Sister Bonaventure (bless her heart). Our crowed would meet on the rectory steps and decide where to cruise. St. Edward’s meant so much to all of us. Met my wife of 63 years in grade school. Graduated in 1952 with Jackie Dowd, Rich Money, and Johnny Comer. Yes, I miss it all.
You grew on the Horseshoe? I’m sure you know it’s completely gone now, right? Thank you for sharing your memories.
CHARLES I went to ST EDWARDS in the late 40s and 50s -mrs BRAY and her sister would make those hard candy apples every year starting in Oct -her husband had a delivery service and I worked for him a little while then worked for mr WRESTLING STORE ON st.Louis and Clara ave not sure about the spelling on westling but spell check take over and won’t let me put what i think is correct -lived on SIMPLE AVE remember sister BONAVENTURE she had me bullied -FATHER GALLAGER WAS GREAT -had a crush on a girl CONNIE FOREST i think she was CHINESE adopted man she was pretty -yes I all so miss the old neighborhood and people
I also remember playing bottle caps using an old broom stick and trying to hit thrown bottle caps. Also the tavern down on Belt just down from Ashland had a corkball pit and regular league ganme during the week. The neighborhood men would take their beer buckets down to the tavern for a fill and come back home and sit on the steps and shoot the bull for a few hours with a refill or two along the way. Of course as kids, we would try to sneak a sip or two. Never knew how good we had it. I remember Sister Bonnie Jo teaching the eigth grade boys and the school Principal (?) taught the girls.
WANYNE that was KIBBS BAR -HE would have fish sandwiches on FRIDAY great sandwich -I have not seen anyone carrying a bucket of beer in a long time
That was Krebs bar on Ashland and Belt. I was on a cork ball team and played there in the late 50,s, went to McBride. With a Red Dwyer. My wife lived on Belt Ave. (lil Badolato) . I played soccer and baseball for St. Edward’s in 51-52. Soccer at Sherman park, baseball at Flood field, beer at Kenny,s tavern , St. Louis and Clara. Went to school with Barbara Wesling (the market). Fr. Flood, Franey, Galllager.Schneider, Huhn, and Murray. Served Mass for all. Brays candy apples ruined my teeth.
I bend an elbo at KINNY and also at Casa Grande across the street-my wife lived on GREER Ave -I knew some BADOLATO who lived on SIMPLE Ave 4 boys they lived across the street from GRACY SOLMARIES if the spelling is wrong -it has been many yrs -I think BARBARA WESLING was the youngest daughter she had a old sister 3 brothers -do you remember the CALANHANS -I use to cut the grass for the DOWD that lived on ASHLAND AVE –BOY the world has changed we were so blessed to live at such a great time -now I look back with nothing but sadness to see a wonderful neighborhood and city go so far down the drain thanks for your reply Charles ZANG
I’m loving these memories of St. Edward’s and Wells-Goodfellow! So much of this history has been forgotten and now we can read about it because you all have taken the time to write it down for us.