St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Missouri is one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis dating back to 1847. The congregation there is one of several historic Ste. Genevieve County parishes now contemplating its fate as the All Things New reconfiguration plan is implemented. Photos by Christian Gooden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
The Rev. Henry Purcell, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., hurries back to the rectory on Thursday, May 4, 2023, before the start of a Confirmation ceremony Mass. St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso Confirmed 11 youth from several rural parishes in Ste. Genevieve County.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., is one of the longest continually running churches in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish, dating to 1847, is one of several in rural Ste. Genevieve County facing possible consolidation from the "All Things New" restructuring initiative.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., seen atop a hill from Interstate 55 on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is one of the longest continually running churches in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish, dating to 1847, is one of several in rural Ste. Genevieve County facing possible consolidation from the "All Things New" restructuring initiative.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Kimberly Basler, left, Mary Beth Kreitler and Brandon Basler, choir members at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., confer after playing a hymn on Thursday, May 4, 2023, during a Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Gunner Gegg, 8, chases his little sister, Georgie, 4, around the yard of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., on Thursday, May 4, 2023, near its cemetery, before the start of their sister's Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Maia Rottler, 12, Katelyn Roth, 9, Kate Fischer, 12, and Jacob Rottler, 9, leave the sacristy at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., on Thursday, May 4, 2023, to be servers in a Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Parishioners exit St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the conclusion of a Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
The Rev. Henry Purcell, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., hurries back to the rectory on Thursday, May 4, 2023, before the start of a Confirmation ceremony Mass. St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso Confirmed 11 youth from several rural parishes in Ste. Genevieve County.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., is one of the longest continually running churches in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish, dating to 1847, is one of several in rural Ste. Genevieve County facing possible consolidation from the "All Things New" restructuring initiative.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., seen atop a hill from Interstate 55 on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is one of the longest continually running churches in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish, dating to 1847, is one of several in rural Ste. Genevieve County facing possible consolidation from the "All Things New" restructuring initiative.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Kimberly Basler, left, Mary Beth Kreitler and Brandon Basler, choir members at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., confer after playing a hymn on Thursday, May 4, 2023, during a Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Gunner Gegg, 8, chases his little sister, Georgie, 4, around the yard of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., on Thursday, May 4, 2023, near its cemetery, before the start of their sister's Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
- Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Maia Rottler, 12, Katelyn Roth, 9, Kate Fischer, 12, and Jacob Rottler, 9, leave the sacristy at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zell, Mo., on Thursday, May 4, 2023, to be servers in a Confirmation ceremony Mass at the Ste. Genevieve County parish.
Christian Gooden
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log InAs featured on
Members of Ste. Genevieve County’s small parishes say they have something special that needs to be protected, not abandoned, by the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
