About Our Lady of Sorrows · Saint Louis, Missouri
Our Lady of Sorrows is a Catholic parish in South St. Louis, Missouri, at 5020 Rhodes Avenue (63109), in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. According to the parish's own welcome statement, it has been an active worshipping community in the South City neighborhood for over 100 years, and describes itself as 'a jewel of our South St. Louis neighborhood.' Daily Mass is offered Monday–Friday at 7:00 a.m., with Sunday Mass on Saturday evening at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 7:00 and 11:00 a.m. The 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and the Tuesday and Friday daily Masses are live-streamed from the parish website. The parish also celebrates a monthly Healing Mass on the first Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (followed by Anointing of the Sick) and offers Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Seven Sorrows)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows offers a deeply rooted, multigenerational Catholic community on St. Louis's south side, where parishioners can attend daily Mass, receive the Anointing of the Sick at the monthly first-Saturday Healing Mass, spend First Fridays in Eucharistic Adoration, and arrange a Catholic wedding in a historic church. The parish welcomes those who wish to attend virtually as well, with the Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass and Tuesday/Friday daily Masses livestreamed from olsorrows.org. Parishioners describe it as a 'strong, devoted community of believers' with a rich 100+ year tradition of worship, faith formation, fundraising, and fellowship in the South St. Louis neighborhood.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (First Friday of the month only)
Welcome to Our Lady of Sorrows
The parish website invites visitors with the words: 'At Our Lady of Sorrows, you will find a vibrant, welcoming Catholic faith community that you can truly call home. We have been an active parish in South St. Louis for over 100 years, and our rich history and tradition of worshipping and celebrating Mass and the sacraments in our beautiful church continues today.' The parish encourages newcomers to join for Mass, a social gathering, a parish fundraiser, or a faith-formation program, and describes itself as 'a jewel of our South St. Louis neighborhood.'
Parish History
Founded in 1907 among the Catholic cemeteries of South St. Louis, Our Lady of Sorrows grew rapidly and in time spun off three daughter parishes: St. John the Baptist, St. George, and St. Mary Magdalen. Anniversary histories were published for the parish's 25th year (1932) and 50th year (1957). In 2023 the parish was canonically merged with St. Joan of Arc and St. Mary Magdalen into the new parish of St. Lucy (5800 Oleatha Avenue), though the Our Lady of Sorrows church at 5020 Rhodes Avenue continues to host Mass and devotions for the community.
- Founded 1907
- 25th anniversary history, 1932
- 50th anniversary history, 1957
- Merged into St. Lucy Parish, 2023
Healing Mass and Anointing of the Sick
On the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m., Our Lady of Sorrows celebrates a Healing Mass especially for those who are ill, with a particular welcome for cancer patients and their families. The Mass is followed by the Anointing of the Sick. All are welcome.
- First Saturday 10:00 AM Healing Mass
- Anointing of the Sick offered after Mass
- Open to all, especially the sick
Live Stream
The 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass is livestreamed each week on the parish website (olsorrows.org). Daily Mass on Tuesdays and Fridays is also livestreamed, allowing the homebound and those away from the parish to participate virtually.
- Sunday 11:00 AM Mass – live streamed
- Tuesday and Friday 7:00 AM Mass – live streamed
Weddings at Our Lady of Sorrows
Couples interested in celebrating a Catholic wedding at Our Lady of Sorrows are invited to contact the parish office. The church welcomes inquiries about scheduling nuptial Masses and sacramental marriage preparation.
- Contact the Parish Office at 314-351-1600
- Sacramental marriage preparation required
Facility Rental
Our Lady of Sorrows makes its parish hall and various meeting rooms available for rent. Inquiries about availability and pricing should be directed to the Parish Office at (314) 351-1600.
- Parish hall rental
- Meeting room rental
- Call (314) 351-1600 for details and prices
Online Giving and Support
Parishioners may contribute to the parish in several ways: by mail to the rectory, by dropping envelopes through the mail slot on the interior rectory door, or by setting up Online Giving through the link on the parish website.
- Mail envelopes to the rectory
- Interior rectory mail slot
- Online Giving via olsorrows.org
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (1908–closed)
A parish school opened in 1908, serving South St. Louis children from kindergarten through 8th grade for many decades. The school shared the Rhodes Avenue campus with the church and was built in matching red terracotta and tan brick with a complementary bell tower. The school is now closed, but its long history of Catholic education is remembered as part of the parish's heritage.
- Founded 1908
- Grades K–8
- Closed (now historic part of parish heritage)
Contact and Visit
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church is located at 5020 Rhodes Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109, at South Kingshighway at Rhodes Avenue in South St. Louis. The Parish Office can be reached by phone at (314) 351-1600 (fax 314-351-1602). Mass times and live-stream links are available on the parish website at olsorrows.org, and the parish maintains a Facebook presence at facebook.com/olsorrows.
- Address: 5020 Rhodes Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- Phone: (314) 351-1600
- Website: olsorrows.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/olsorrows