History of Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, St. Louis, Missouri

Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church

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St. Margaret's Church Through the Years

Just a few facts are known about the first location of St. Margaret of Scotland Church. It was in a former meat market on the southeast corner of Russell and 39th Street (then called Vandeventer). Store fixtures served as the altar, vestments were said to have been kept in an icebox, there was a small pump organ, and a white cross was hung above the door. Forty-five families joined the newly-appointed pastor Fr. John J. O'Brien for the first Mass on Christmas Day, 1899 in this simple place of worship - the beginnings of a new Catholic parish in the Shaw Neighborhood.

It took eight years to move from that storefront to the church shown in the picture below. Four lots at 39th and Flad were purchased, plans were drawn up by the architectural firm of Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett (designers of many of Henry Shaw's properties, including Tower Grove House), a building fund was started, and the cornerstone of the so-called Celtic style church was finally laid in April 1906. By now there were 400 families in the parish, and the building was dedicated with a Pontifical High Mass on Thanksgiving Day, 1907. The eloquent sermon was delivered by the young Archbishop John J. Glennon.

The new church's interior was dominated by a large stained glass window depicting the Crucifixion behind the main altar. Dark oak pews would seat 1200, and brass chandeliers with heavily frosted globes lit the congregation. The sanctuary lamp was described as particularly beautiful, 'of finely fretted brass with delicately pointed, clear electric globes alternating with crimson lamps of 'perpetual light."' This lamp is barely visible just above the altar in the picture below.

St. Margaret's Church Circa 1910

By 1925, the church interior needed redoing. Parishioners were asked to add 25 cents to their Sunday envelopes to pay for replacing the wood altars, the flaking plaster statues, and the darkened oak ceiling. The Daprato Studios in Pietrasanta, Italy, were commissioned to produce a new altar, baldachin (the canopy over the altar), shrines and statues in marble of vivid color. New stained glass windows, including a large one depicting scenes from the life of St. Margaret, were installed by the Emil Frei Art Glass Company of St. Louis. The stained glass 'Crucifixion" behind the altar was removed and replaced by murals depicting the Nativity in remembrance of the first Mass in that storefront on Christmas Day, 1899. The renovation took thirteen years and cost a total of $125,000.

St. Margaret's Church Circa 1940

In the 1940's, another sprucing up was undertaken. The spring under the church was finally capped securely, new pews were installed, the interior was painted, and the draperies and carpets in the sanctuary added. It was in these post-war years that St. Margaret's saw its highest membership - nearly 2600 households.

Today, as we approach the centennial of St. Margaret's Parish, 450 families and individuals are registered in the parish, a staff of 27 teaches Catholic values to the 249 students in St. Margaret's Grade School, the Small Church Community movement is growing, and the parish stands as a living commitment to the vitality of Shaw and surrounding areas.

Mass Times

Saturdays:
	4:30 PM
Sundays:
	8:00 and 10:00 AM
Monday - Friday:
	6:30 AM
Schoolyear Thursdays:
	8:00 AM
Holydays:
	Refer to bulletin.