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The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France is commonly known to the St. Louisians as The Old Cathedral. This historical landmark is the oldest Catholic cathedral west of the Mississippi. It was founded in 1770 and the present church building was dedicated in 1834. It is located at 209 Walnut Street, east of I-70 and stand on the only privately owned ground in the Jefferson Memorial area. The structure and land is owned by the St. Louis Archdiocese.

The stone building with Doric portico and a 135 foot spire was designed by Architects Joseph C. Laveille and George Morton in 1834.

Pope John XXIII signed a Decree naming this structure a Basilica on January 27, 1961. This action recognized it as a “treasure of the universal church. The ornamental insignia of a basilica are the half open umbrella and a bell in a key shaped frame and these are displayed in the rear of the church.

The Old Cathedral Museum is located on the west side of the Cathedral and contains many historical artifacts and relics from the early days of the St. Louis Catholic Church.