St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

It is true that St. Anthony’s is a beautiful Catholic church located in Saint Louis, but even more beautiful is its faith and its welcoming and friendly spirit; we are ready to share it with all of you!

Since 1863, St. Anthony of Padua Parish has been a source of faith and hope in our city of St. Louis.

The Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province arrived in Southern Illinois from Germany in 1858, and just five years later, with the help of some very dedicated and hardworking future parishioners, the parish began. It has grown and prospered over the years and remains a place of WELCOME and PEACE for many throughout the region.

The Franciscans and all of our parishioners welcome you to come to St. Anthony’s at any time. Please visit us, worship with us, join us! We hope you find all the information you need on our website. If not, then please give us a call, or better yet, come for a visit.

Mission Statement

We, the members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, strive to live out our faith as Christians in the Roman Catholic Church. Influenced by Franciscan spirituality, we see ourselves as a caring community, drawing from the strength and tradition of those who have gone before us, the wisdom of our senior members, and the energy of our younger members. We see St. Anthony’s Church as a cornerstone in our changing neighborhood in South St. Louis. We believe that our faith is our common bond, that all of us are made in the image and likeness of God; and, as such, possess a dignity and potential that is to be respected. We are called to be signs of God’s love to each other and to all we meet.

We believe our strength and nourishment come from the Church’s ministry of Word and Sacrament. Having experienced God’s grace, we commit ourselves to announcing to others God’s saving love for them. We will face the future by reaching out and serving the needy, by fostering spiritual growth in our families, by educating our children in Christian values, by welcoming visitors and strangers into our community, and by joyfully facing the challenges of our neighborhood. We value openness rather than negative criticism and reconciliation rather than materialism, selfishness and prejudice. We want to become a parish family with a care and concern that is characteristic of family members.

The Franciscans and the parish of St. Anthony of Padua have been in the Dutchtown neighborhood since 1863.

Their beginnings started with a house donated by a local resident, Mr. Witnell. The first church was built on the corner of Meramec and Compton Streets. The Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province have helped to provide for the material, spiritual, and sacramental needs of the German residents of the Dutchtown community since their arrival.

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St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church follows the Archdiocese of St. Louis Safe Environment Program (Protecting God’s Children) in order to help protect the youth, elderly, and vulnerable adults of our parish as they participate in activities within our community and also to help protect those adults involved in our ministries against the possibility of false accusations.

Victims of sexual abuse, in addition to contacting civil authorities, are asked to come forward in order to receive pastoral assistance.

Reports of abuse may be made to any Pastor or to:

Sandra Price, Executive Director
Office of Child & Youth Protection
314-792-7271
sandraprice@archstl.org

Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline:
1-800-392-3738

Missouri Department of Heath & Senior Services
Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline:
1-800-392-0210