St. Peter’s Cathedral - Belleville, Illinois

St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Illinois and serves the people of Belleville and the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, which includes all of southern Illinois.

This Renaissance Gothic architectural masterpiece has a 222 ft. tall bell tower. Gothic architecture characterizes any of the styles of medieval European architecture, in particular those associated with cathedrals and churches, developed between the 12th and 14th centuries. The Gothic style originated at the abbey church of Saint-Denis near Paris by the Abbot Suger who wanted to create a physical representation of Heavenly Jerusalem. This style emphasizes verticality and features almost skeletal stone structures with sharply pointed spires, cluster columns, ribbed vaults, pointed arches using the ogive (S) shape, and sculptural detail. The focus of these features were large stained glass windows that allowed more light to enter than was possible with earlier architectural styles. In order to achieve this, flying buttresses were used to enable high vaulted ceilings and slender columns by preventing the walls from leaning outwards from the pressure of the vaults and causing the structure to collapse. The architectural concept of the Gothic cathedral with its loftiness and huge dimensions was to convey the theological message of the great glory of God versus the smallness and insignificance of man. St. Peter’s Cathedral is an excellent place to view an example of Gothic architecture in the St. Louis area and brochures for self guided tours of the Cathedral can be found at the front entrance. The Cathedral is rich with sculpture and stained glass (photo right) and notable features include the north nave and baptistery, the Marian Shrine, the south nave, and the sanctuary area.

Location: 200 West Harrison Street, Belleville, Illinois

Phone: 1-800-611-9255

Tours available.

Written by Travel Writer · Filed Under Southwest