Welcome to Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
Established in 1789 in Florissant, MO
Golf Cart Raffle
Our 2024 capital project is to repair, restore and protect the stained glass windows in the Church. To help raise funds to fix ONE window (about $15,000), we are raffling off a golf cart!
Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15, 2024. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, July 14, 2024.
More details to come! Stay tuned!
Golf Cart Details:
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Rebuilt in 2021 on a 2014 frame
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Seats 4
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Electric
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Bluetooth Stereo
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Upgraded wheels & tires
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Street legal for standard ordinances
2024 Capital Project: Stained Glass
In 2024 and beyond, our fundraising initiatives will focus on a capital project dedicated to the restoration, repair, and preservation of the Church's stained glass windows.
The scope of this project entails:
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The necessary work of re-leading the windows for structural stability.
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Repairs to broken windows, and replace missing stained glass pieces.
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Protective covers will be installed to shield the windows from weather damage.
Currently, two windows have been successfully restored, with each window costing approximately $25,000.
Throughout the years, small rocks have caused some glass to break. Some shattered glass has been carefully reassembled, while other pieces have been replaced with plain-colored glass instead of the original painted design. The main concern with this project is the lead, which supports the window's structure and stability, as it is deteriorating and causing the windows to buckle. Once each window is repaired, a transparent protective shield will be added. Although many windows already have shields, they are starting to cloud due to aging.
Interested in donating to help restore the stained glass?
Hope Floats
In July 2022, record rainfall fell in the STL area and flooded the convent, church, rectory, and school house with almost 3 feet of water. The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine holds over 200 years of history, telling the story of St. Philippine Duchesne, the Jesuits, the pioneer days in the Louisiana Purchase territory, and so much more.
The volunteers and the board members continue to work with the restoration company to get our campus up and running again. We believe this will take months to fully restore the buildings. While this is happening, all events, tours, and rentals have been cancelled until further notice.
Please check back on this website and our Facebook page for updates on our progress.
Thank you for your support in donations, volunteer hours, and prayers.
-The Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
The Catholic Church recognizes over 10,000 canonized saints.
Eleven of these saints lived in North America.
St. Philippine Duchesne was the fourth saint canonized from the US. and is the patron saint of perseverance amid adversity.
At the age of 49, Duchesne arrived in the US from France with the mission of teaching girls in the American frontier. Facing harsh weather and limited resources, Duchesne and her team worked tirelessly opening 6 schools in 10 years in MO and LA.
Come to Florissant and see where it all began.
Walk in the footsteps of a Saint
Who We Are
Today, The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is managed by the nonprofit, Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine. Through fundraising and donations from the community, we continue to maintain this 200+ year old campus.
Our volunteers work hard providing tours, restoring the campus, and creating event spaces for rent. Our collective mission is continue to keep the Shrine an active part of the community while preserving our heritage and honoring those that walked before us.
We encourage all to visit, reflect, and enjoy.
Pencil sketch of campus prior to Church renovation in 1880
