About Our Lady of the Holy Cross · Saint Louis, Missouri
Our Lady of the Holy Cross was a Catholic parish in St. Louis's Baden neighborhood, perched on a hill at 8115 Church Road. It was formed in 1993 through the merger of two historic north-city parishes—Holy Cross (founded 1863 by German immigrants from Baden) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel (founded 1872 by Irish immigrants). The parish carried forward strong German-Catholic traditions, including an annual Fasching Sonntag celebration. In 2023, as part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis's "All Things New" restructuring, Our Lady of the Holy Cross was united with St. Augustine, St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist, and St. Matthew the Apostle into a newly erected parish.
- Established
- 1993
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Cross
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Louis
History and Heritage
Our Lady of the Holy Cross stood at the intersection of two immigrant Catholic stories in north St. Louis. Holy Cross Parish began in 1863 to serve German immigrants from the region of Baden, while Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded in 1872 by Irish Catholics who had originally worshipped at Holy Cross. After 120 years as separate parishes, they reunited in 1993 to form Our Lady of the Holy Cross, worshipping at the historic Holy Cross church on Church Road.
- Holy Cross Parish founded 1863
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish founded 1872
- Merged in 1993 to form Our Lady of the Holy Cross
- Closed and united with three other parishes in 2023
Closure and Restructuring
In 2023, the Archdiocese of St. Louis implemented its 'All Things New' pastoral plan. A decree dated May 24, 2023, joined Our Lady of the Holy Cross through an extinctive union with Saint Augustine, Saint Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist, and Saint Matthew the Apostle into a newly erected parish. The Dicastery for the Clergy later upheld this decree, confirming the closure.
- Part of Archdiocese of St. Louis 'All Things New' plan
- Decree issued May 24, 2023
- New parish temporarily named after all four former parishes