Historical Notes
Ste. Genevieve Pilgrimage - St. Genevieve Catholic Church and ASL Pewter Foundry & Gallery
Rising above Ste. Genevieve's historic district, Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church has watched over the town for generations. Its soaring bell tower dominates the skyline, while inside, marble altars, stained glass, and an ancient baptismal bowl dating to 1794 bear witness to more than two centuries of faith.
Our June 14 Walk the Pilgrim’s Path pilgrimage carried special meaning for me. My own family traces its roots to the early French-speaking Catholics who settled the town.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” one of the pilgrims said.
The Liturgy of High Mass
Before Mass began, pilgrims moved slowly toward the pews, walking, standing, and genuflecting in silence, taking it all in. Once we settled in and Mass began, the first wisps of incense rose toward the vaulted ceiling, gradually filling the sanctuary. Sunlight shone through the stained glass, coloring the sanctuary. Altar servers moved in deliberate procession, and sacred music filled the space.
Although celebrated in English rather than Latin, the liturgy carried the solemnity and beauty of a traditional High Mass. For many of us, it felt as though we had stepped into an earlier century, offering a glimpse of how generations of Catholics may have experienced worship in Ste. Genevieve's earliest days.
Standing in that church, knowing my own ancestors had once worshipped in this community, I couldn't help wondering how many generations had inhaled that same incense and listened for those same bells.
Witnessing the Future
The pilgrimage was supposed to include a historic tour following Mass. Instead, three baptisms diverted our attention. We had come hoping to learn about the church's history. Instead, we witnessed its future. The ancient baptismal bowl was no longer simply a centuries-old artifact. Before us, another generation was entering the Church, reminding us that this story continues.
ASL Pewter Foundry & Gallery
Following Mass, we walked just around the corner to ASL Pewter Foundry & Gallery for a wine and cheese reception hosted by Tom and Pat Hooper.
The atmosphere shifted from quiet reverence to animated conversation as pilgrims gathered around refreshment tables and shelves lined with handcrafted pewter. Tom and Pat Hooper welcomed everyone with extraordinary hospitality, answering questions about their craft while demonstrating techniques that have changed little over the centuries.
Before long, conversations about the morning's liturgy blended with discussions of history, craftsmanship, travel, and family. Pilgrims laughed, talked, browsed the gallery, and lingered long after the demonstrations ended. No one seemed eager for the afternoon to end.
Companions on the Journey
Every pilgrimage teaches us something about the places we visit. We learn history together. We worship together. We share meals, conversations, laughter, and stories together.
What began as an invitation to explore the sacred places featured in Walk the Pilgrim's Path has grown into a community. Each pilgrimage offers another opportunity to slow down, learn from one another, and build friendships rooted in shared experience.
By the time the afternoon ended, we had experienced far more than a historic church or a remarkable artisan workshop. We had experienced what pilgrimage has always been intended to create: companions on the journey.
Want to explore Ste. Genevieve's remarkable history? Download the free Literary Companion to learn more about the church, its French Catholic heritage, and the stories that continue to shape one of Missouri's oldest communities.