St. Ferdinand Shrine - Florissant, MO
St. Ferdinand Shrine - Florissant, MO
Wathc as our SJEN.Tv crew takes you on a journey through the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.
The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine and Historical Site is owned, preserved, maintained, and protected by Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 1959. The date the first settlers came to the rich, fertile Valley of Florissant is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in the state of Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled around the same time as St. Louis. The first civil government was formed in 1786 by Francois Dunegant, who served was the civil and military commandant. Spanish archives in Havana reveal there were 40 people and 7 plantations in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census. The village called “Fleurissant” by its French settlers and “St. Ferdinand” by its Spanish rulers was a typical French village with its commons and common fields.
The first church, built of logs under the supervision of Hyacenthe Deshetres, was erected on the southeast quarter of the block bounded by rue St. Charles, rue St. Ferdinand, rue St. Louis, and rue St. Denis under a grant Spain. The local commandant, Francois Dunegant announced the grant. Dunegant was appointed by Alejandro O’Reily, the Spanish General in New Orleans. On February 19th, 1821, Father de la Croix laid the cornerstone for the new brick structure which was to replace the little log church (destroyed by fire in 1836).
The cornerstone itself was a gift from Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne, and in deference to her, the church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the invocation of St. Ferdinand and St. John Regis. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, one of Missouri’s foremost pioneer women, was canonized on July 3rd, 1988. She had lived in the convent from 1819 – 1827 and again from 1834 – 1840. It was here she not only stabilized the area, but established the first school in Florissant.
Spirits of Florissant Missouri
The City of Florissant Missouri is an old community with a vast and sometimes tragic history. Many residents of the City's Old Town area are reluctant to talk about their haunted experiences but this video tells of two resident historians who have come to terms with the City's ghostly past.
The City of Florissant Celebrated National Preservation Month
The City of Florissant Celebrated National Preservation Month w. Missouri Main Street Connection
Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. traveled the state of Missouri
Celebrate Preservation Month! MMSC Staff, local Main Street Executive Directors, Board members, and preservation representatives went on a Road Show tour.
Highlighting Missouri historic sites the tour stopped by 17 cities throughout Missouri to show case communities working diligently to preserve their historic resources. The City of Florissant and Fergusion were the only 2 in St. Louis featured.
Site 1 Ferguson: Historical Wood Window Repair and Restoration—
Bob McCarty educated those attending about the parts of a window, why your original windows are more sustainable than new windows
Site 2 Florissant: The Gittemeier House
Historic Florissant Inc (HFI) provides opportunities for the community to better understand its heritage through tours and special events.
12 Noon High Tea allowed guests to enjoy refreshments, as they discussed the history of local historical homes and toured the Gittemeier House.
Site 3 Florissant: Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
Since 1959 The Shrine has been preserved, maintained, and protected by Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, Inc
Inside, visitors toured The Shrine and learned how life was for the earliest European settlements west of the Mississippi. They learned the history of St Rose Phillippine Duchesne] and The St. Ferdinand parish.
Through this project, they hope to encourage Missouri citizens of all ages to learn more about the history surrounding them, discover new sites and communities, and understand the importance of preserving our history and historic places for generations to come.