CATHOLIC CHURCH
History
160+ Years of Standing on The Rock
In 1867, Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated just two years prior; Andrew Johnson was President of the United States; St. Louis was rapidly expanding westward; and the transcontinental railroad, typewriters, and dynamite were revolutionary new inventions! 1867 also was the year that Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick and the Redemptorists broke ground for a new Gothic stone church at Grand and Cook Avenues. By the grace of God, through good times and bad, war and peace, integration and transformation, our Church, our community, and this parish have endured and grown in ways that those founding Redemptorists could never have imagined!
As we continue our mission to joyfully preach, teach, and live the Word of God, we look back on our history – how we got to where we are today. And maybe, just get an inkling of where we're headed and how we can keep standing on The Rock.
The Foundation Era (1860s-1920s)
St. Alphonsus Liguori "The Rock" Catholic Church was birthed in 1867 when construction workers nicknamed the Gothic stone church "Rock Church" – a name that endures today. The Redemptorists were tasked with serving the "most abandoned and poor" in the rapidly growing Grand Avenue corridor near the bustling riverfront district.
For the first half-century, St. Alphonsus remained a beacon of European Catholic tradition. In 1887, the church made history when Rev. Augustus Tolton, America's first recognized African-American Catholic priest, visited and celebrated Mass. The beautiful stained glass windows were installed in 1904, crafted by Meyer of Munich and showcased at the St. Louis World's Fair. But the most significant milestone came in 1922 when The Rock began the first weekly Our Mother of Perpetual Help novena in the United States – a devotion that would eventually spread to almost every country in the world.
Integration and Transformation (1940s-1980s)
By the 1940s, St. Alphonsus was pioneering racial integration. Rev. James Higgins ended segregation in 1941, incorporating parishioners from St. Clement's. The school was integrated in 1948, well ahead of the broader civil rights movement. As white flight occurred in the 1950s, The Rock evolved into a predominantly African-American Catholic parish.
The 1970s through 1980s saw ambitious initiatives to embrace this transformation. Under Rev. Robert Wirth's leadership beginning in 1978, the church underwent renovation in an Afro-centric manner, creating an authentic space where African-American worship traditions flourished within Catholic heritage. Two dynamic Gospel choirs were established, and liturgies began to genuinely reflect the community's rich culture.
African-American Catholic Leadership (1990s-2010s)
At the start of the 1990s, St. Alphonsus was experiencing a renaissance. The ultimate milestone came in 1990 when Fr. Maurice Nutt, who grew up in the parish, was ordained to the priesthood at The Rock by African-American Bishop J. Terry Steib. In 1993, Fr. Nutt became the first African-American Pastor of the church – representing authentic leadership from within the community.
This period brought national recognition. In 2000, St. Alphonsus was selected as one of only 300 Excellent Catholic Parishes out of 20,000 nationwide. The Danforth Foundation honored The Rock as the first recipient of the I Dare You Award, featuring Rev. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as guest speaker and awarding the parish $100,000.
Trials, Triumphs, and Modern Era (2000s-Present)
The new millennium brought both challenges and celebrations. Lightning struck the middle tower in 2007, causing a fire that burned the roof and ceiling, though the precious stained glass windows survived. The 2009 Palm Sunday restoration celebration saw parishioners march with jubilation into the newly restored church.
Recent years have solidified The Rock's significance. The church celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2017 with Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin celebrating a jubilee Mass for 850 people, televised on EWTN. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the parish pioneered livestreaming on YouTube, keeping the community connected during unprecedented times.
Today, under Father Royce Thomas, C.Ss.R., long-time parishioners proud of their heritage and new families eager to contribute come together to worship, to serve, and to take the Gospel into the world. A recent $500,000 restoration grant ensures these sacred spaces will inspire future generations. We are and we live our identity: "Authentically Black and Truly Catholic – joyfully preaching, teaching, and living the Word of God."