While most Maplewoodians are familiar with the beautiful 1925 church of the Immaculate Conception at Marshall and Moller, few realize that the parish began in an earlier building constructed in 1904-5. This building still exists just behind and east of the more well known edifice. Take a look.
Doug, I’m speculating and have no evidence to support my speculation. Since the building served two purposes, church and school, I wondered if the two entry’s might have been to allow separation of the sexes during school hours. At my wife’s parish school the sexes were separated during recess.
Same thing at Scullin public school here in St. Louis. There was a 6ft chain-link fence separating the girls play yard from
the boys. If a ball went over that fence, your were at the mercy of the snippy girls to throw it back over.
Thank you Doug. I was surprised that in the close-up of the cross on the belfry, that there doesn’t seem to be a lightning rod, since it must be the highest point in the neighborhood. I remember what happened to St Anthony of Padua on Meramec Street when lightning struck it – a catastrophic fire.
Tom, you’re absolutely correct. The lightning rod is there and can be seen just to the left of the birds head.
I remember entering Immaculate Conception Church with my childhood friend, Danise Banks. She would go during the week (after school) to confession. We needed to wear headscarfs because that was the tradition in those days. I also remember that the plexiglass wasn’t there then around the central circular stained glass (over the main entrance).
Wanda, thank you for your interesting recollection.
Interesting, it looks like the changes made to the older church makes it appear newer than what it is. The newer church, of course, has a great refined and dignified look.
I agree, Gary. Thanks for your comment.
Interesting, Doug. Just curious…… which door was for men and which for women?