St. Vincent de Paul

Parish Identity & Mission

St. Vincent de Paul Parish describes itself as 'a community of Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Louis endeavoring to live out the Joy of the Gospel, and to bring others closer to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, through our commitment to being missionary disciples who know and live the Faith.' The parish mission statement commits members to following Jesus Christ, 'Evangelizer of the poor,' through Eucharistic-centered worship and continued spiritual formation, service to the poor and oppressed, and preaching the Gospel by word and action in an ecumenical spirit.

History of the Parish

The parish has deep roots in early St. Louis Catholic history. On September 24, 1838, Bishop Joseph Rosati formed four parishes for the city of St. Louis, including Holy Trinity to the South, which would later become St. Vincent de Paul. The original Holy Trinity project stalled, and in February 1843 the Vincentian seminarians dismantled the foundation, moved the stones one block north, and began St. Vincent de Paul's Church as a 'Vincentian parish' owned and staffed by the Vincentians. The cornerstone was laid in February 1843 and Archbishop Peter Kenrick dedicated the completed $30,000 church on November 10, 1845. The parish was a German-speaking congregation in its first decades under the care of Father Francis Xavier Dahmen, C.M. After the 1944 centennial jubilee, the surrounding neighborhood declined with the rise of industry, public housing, and the Ozark Expressway, and the parochial school eventually closed.

• 1838 – Bishop Rosati creates four parishes, including Holy Trinity (forerunner of St. Vincent de Paul).
• 1839 – Cornerstone of Holy Trinity laid (May 5, 1839); construction halted by economic downturn and weather damage.
• Feb 1843 – Vincentian seminarians dismantle Holy Trinity and lay the cornerstone of the new St. Vincent de Paul Church one block north.
• Nov 10, 1845 – Archbishop Peter Kenrick dedicates the $30,000 church designed by architect George I. Barnett.
• 1849 – Narthex and new front facade added, designed by Franz Saler.
• 1859 – Three-story parochial school for boys built at Ninth Street and Park Avenue.
• 1896 – Tornado damages the rectory, carrying its roof nearly a mile to Lafayette Park.
• 1944 – Parish centennial jubilee; subsequent neighborhood decline.
• Parochial school eventually closed; current grade school is St. Frances Cabrini Academy.

Building & Architecture

The church was designed by George I. Barnett and dedicated in 1845; the City of St. Louis classifies the building as Romanesque Revival, of brick in common bond, and lists it as a City Landmark. A narthex and a new front facade were added in 1849 by architect Franz Saler. The 1896 tornado badly damaged the rectory (its roof was carried nearly a mile to Lafayette Park).

• Architect: George I. Barnett (1843/1845)
• Style: Romanesque Revival
• Construction: Brick, common bond
• 1849 addition: Narthex and new front facade, Franz Saler, architect
• Designation: City of St. Louis Landmark

Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership

The parish is led by two Vincentian priests, a permanent deacon, a Daughters of Charity sister, and a team of lay staff. The pastor is Father Rich Wehrmeyer, C.M., and the associate pastor is Father Rajesh (Kumar) Lakra, C.M. Deacon Terry Collins serves as Permanent Deacon. Cheryl Archibald is Parish Life Coordinator. Sister Germaine Price, D.C. manages the food pantry, supported by Russ Struttmann (Director of Operations), Tony Lonero (Kitchen Manager), and Desiray Taylor (Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator). Dennis Wells directs liturgy and music. June Stephenson and Marjorie Anderson handle administration, and Kaity Murphy is receptionist/event assistant.

• Pastor: Rev. Rich Wehrmeyer, C.M.
• Associate Pastor: Rev. Rajesh Kumar Lakra, C.M.
• Permanent Deacon: Deacon Terry Collins
• Parish Life Coordinator: Cheryl Archibald
• Director of Operations: Russ Struttmann
• Food Pantry Manager: Sister Germaine Price, D.C.
• Liturgy/Music Director: Dennis Wells
• Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator: Desiray Taylor
• Kitchen Manager: Tony Lonero
• Administration: June Stephenson, Marjorie Anderson
• Receptionist/Event Assistant: Kaity Murphy

Outreach & Charity to the Poor

Outreach to the poor is central to the parish's Vincentian identity. The Food Pantry, managed by Sister Germaine Price, D.C., is the hub of a network that includes a daily Lunch/Sandwich Window, a monthly Community Meals Program, the Suds of Love laundry program, and Senior Bingo. After both Sunday Masses, the parish gathers in the Church Hall for coffee and donuts, a chance to meet fellow parishioners and visiting guests. Volunteers are coordinated by Desiray Taylor, and outreach sign-ups are posted on the parish website.

• Food Pantry
• Lunch Window / Sandwich Window (open weekdays and weekends)
• Community Meals Program
• Suds of Love (laundry program)
• Senior Bingo
• Coffee & Donuts fellowship after Sunday Masses
• Turkeyfest, Christmas Program, and other seasonal outreach events

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Family Faith Formation is St. Vincent's faith formation program for any family with children from birth to grade 12. The program is designed to be done as a whole family — giving intentionality, structure, and routine to faith conversations at home — and is anchored by a monthly family session at the parish. The parish's about page also lists traditional Faith Formation classes for children from preschool through 8th grade; families can contact Carolyn Hubler for more information. Older youth and adults are invited into ongoing formation through a monthly Zoom discussion on racism and social justice, held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM.

• Family Faith Formation (birth through grade 12)
• Traditional classes for preschool through 8th grade
• Monthly family sessions at the parish
• Monthly Racism & Social Justice Zoom discussion (first Wednesday, 7:00 PM)

St. Frances Cabrini Academy (Parish School)

St. Vincent de Paul's grade school partner is St. Frances Cabrini Academy, a dynamic Catholic school sponsored by the parishes of the near South Side to provide quality Catholic education to children of all faiths.

• St. Frances Cabrini Academy — inter-parochial Catholic school
• Welcomes children of all faiths
• Sponsored by the parishes of the near South Side

Music & Liturgy

Music and prayer at St. Vincent de Paul reflect the diversity of the community. The different celebrations of the Eucharist use many styles of music to enhance prayer, and the choir always welcomes new members. Liturgical ministry scheduling is handled through Rotunda Software, and a weekly bulletin is posted online for parishioners to follow along.

• Liturgy/Music Director: Dennis Wells
• Parish choir (open to new members)
• Diverse musical styles across Masses
• Online weekly bulletin
• Liturgical Ministry scheduling via Rotunda Software

Getting Involved & Parish Life

The parish runs a wide variety of events and service opportunities, including an Auction, Golf Tournament, Turkeyfest, and Christmas Program. Outreach volunteer opportunities include the Food Pantry, Lunch Window, Meals Program, Suds of Love laundry program, and Senior Bingo. Prospective volunteers can fill out a Volunteer Form on the parish website or contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Desiray Taylor, at [email protected] or by calling the parish office at (314) 231-9328.

• Outreach volunteer opportunities: Food Pantry, Lunch Window, Meals Program, Suds of Love, Senior Bingo
• Parish volunteer opportunities: Auction, Golf Tournament, Turkeyfest, Christmas Program, Special Events
• Contact: Desiray Taylor, Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator — [email protected], (314) 231-9328

Sacraments & Faith Life

The parish celebrates the sacraments on a regular weekly and seasonal schedule. Mass is offered Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, with a daily 12:05 PM Mass Monday through Friday. Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons, and Eucharistic Adoration is held on Fridays. The parish website includes a Liturgy Survey & Comment Form so that parishioners can give feedback on the worship life of the community.

• Mass (weekday, Sunday, Holy Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day)
• Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturday 3:45 PM
• Eucharistic Adoration — Friday 1:00 PM
• Family Faith Formation (birth through grade 12)

Visit, Contact & Office Hours

St. Vincent de Paul Parish is located at 1408 South 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104, in the Soulard neighborhood south of downtown. The parish office can be reached at (314) 231-9328 (phone) and (314) 621-2232 (fax); email is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is live-streamed on the parish website.

• Address: 1408 South 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
• Phone: (314) 231-9328
• Fax: (314) 621-2232
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Website: http://www.stvstl.org/