On our busy 3 day trip to St. Louis we will visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. We will also see historically significant objects from the Vatican at the Missouri History Museum in Saint Louis. The exhibit objects are presented in galleries and recreated environments organized into thematic sections that enhance the visitor's understanding of their historical and artistic significance. Collectively, they illustrate the evolution of the Church and its papacy be-ginning with Saint Peter and up to Pope Benedict XVI, with special emphasis on art and historical objects reflecting significant events and periods relating to Christianity. We will also visit the historic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis built in 1907 and The Shrine of St. Joseph which was started in 1844. Our rate of only $288/personDO or $349/personSO includes a deluxe touring motor coach, an on-board tour coordinator, luggage handling, 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner.

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Today we will visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse.

During a nation-wide competition in 1947-48, architect Eero Saarinen's inspired design for a 630-foot stainless steel Gateway Arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. Construction of the Arch began in 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million. The Arch has foundations sunk 60 feet into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds; it sways up to 1 inch in a 20 mph wind, and is built to sway up to 18 inches. A Grand Staircase leads from the St. Louis levee up to the base of the Gateway Arch. Fees are charged to ride the unique tram system to the top.

The Museum of Westward Expansion, located below the Arch, is as large as a football field and contains an extensive collection of artifacts, mounted animal specimens, an authentic American Indian tipi, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Located just two blocks west of the Arch, the Old Courthouse is one of the oldest standing buildings in St. Louis, begun in 1839. It was here that the first two trials of the Dred Scott case were held in 1847 and 1850. Today, the building houses a museum charting the history of the city of St. Louis and restored courtrooms. These buildings, along with the accompanying grounds, make the total acreage for this park 90.96 acres.

The Saint Louis Union Station is a massive, Romanesque-style building, designed by architect Theodore Link in 1894, was once the largest and busiest railroad terminal in the world. The "HARVEY GIRLS" once provided service with a smile at St. Louis Union Station's famous eatery. In the heyday of American railroading a well-known eatery provided passengers with fine food and friendly service. At the turn of the century, Fred Harvey opened one of his famous eateries in what was then the Terminal Hotel at St. Louis Union Station. Harvey was responsible for changing the concept of railroad dining in the late 1800s. To satisfy the traveler's needs, their orders were taken by the brakeman while still on board the train, then wired to the restaurant manager in advance. This procedure made relaxed railway dining feasible, allowing plenty of time for travelers to catch the next train.

What was once a Fred Harvey dining establishment is now a highly-acclaimed restaurant, the Station Grille, situated in the luxurious Marriott St. Louis Union Station. Restored to its original grandeur, the 130-seat restaurant serves some of the finest cuisine in St. Louis.

In 1976, the Saint Louis Union Station was designated a National Historic Landmark. After an extensive $150 million restoration, the facility, including an expansive 11.5 acre train shed reopened in 1985 with a hotel, unique marketplace of shops, assortment of fine restaurants and cafes, live entertainment and a lake with boats ... all under one roof.

Today, the Grand Hall features a barrel-vaulted ceiling of unsurpassed gilt work, stained glass over the entrance, scale models of trains and statues. Visitors can discover the Station's past and present with a self-guided walking tour through one of the nation's most significant rail stations and restoration projects. Additional activies are featured throughout the year including historic and refurbished train displays, children's entertainment, sports events and exhibits.

Once again the Station is undergoing a new renovation. This time its being undertaken by the St. Louis Union Station Marriott, located in what is known as the Headhouse. Marriott took over management of the 539-room hotel from Hyatt in December 2008 and is now in the process of expanding its operations with additional meeting rooms and new restaurant.

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One of the largest collections of art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican ever to tour North America opened May 15 at the Missouri History Museum in Saint Louis. A Journey through Faith and Art is a guided tour of the grounds and devotional sites features 170 works of art and historically significant objects, many of which have never left the Vatican.

An introductory video presents dramatic views of exteriors of and breathtaking art inside the Vatican. Included are images of Saint Pete's Basilica from different periods, and actual footage of the Scavi - the necropolis below the basilica - where the original tomb and bones of Saint Peter were found.

The exhibition is organized into 11 galleries that illustrate the evolution of the Church and its papacy beginning with Saint Peter through the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, with thematic areas highlighting important developments, moments, people and events tied to the history of the Catholic Church and the Vatican, reflected in both important historical objects and artistic expression from different eras. The objects are presented in galleries and recreated environments that enhance the visitor's understanding of their historical and artistic significance.

Exhibition designers want visitors to feel transported to the Vatican, from the underground catacombs where the remains of Saint Peter were discovered to the magnificent papal chambers found above ground. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of John Paul II's hand, the exhibition is a multi-sensory experience. For more information about the exhibit and each of the galleries go Here

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Before heading home today, we visit The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral, was completed in 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri, as the archdiocesan replacement for the Cathedral of St. Louis, King of France. Although workers began clearing ground for the building on May 1, 1907, dedication of the Cathedral and its first mass did not take place until October 18, 1914, when the superstructure was complete. Consecration of the church took place more than a decade later on June 29, 1926. The Cathedral was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II on April 4, 1997. The church is known for its large mosaic installation (which is the largest in the world), burial crypts, and the addition of an outdoor sculpture to promote racial harmony.

We also visit The Shrine of St. Joseph which a beautiful old historic church in downtown St. Louis and the only example of Baroque church architecture in the St. Louis area. It is also the site of the only authenticated miracle in the Midwest. The church has its beginnings when the Jesuits founded a parish to serve the German Catholic working class population living in the surrounding area in 1843.

The cornerstone for the original St. Joseph's Church was laid in 1844 on land donated by Mrs. Ann Biddle, daughter of John Mullanphy, St. Louis' first philanthropist. A substantial addition was made in 1865-66 and is often referred to as the second St. Joseph's Church. Another major addition, referred to as the third St. Joseph's, was begun in 1881 when a new facade and twin towers were added. In 1862 a large parish school, staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame, was built nearby to care for the many children of the area.

The original church was designed in Classic Revival style by George Purvis and had 150-foot spire. By 1865 the structure was judged inadequate to meet the demands of an expanding congregation. In 1866 the church was enlarged and the interior was made more elaborate. A Baroque facade and twin flanking towers were added in 1881 giving the church its final dimensions and a seating capacity for 2400 worshippers. These last additions are in the Baroque Revival style, a 19th century revival of the European Baroque style (1600-1750), that favors of verticality, irregular shapes and highly sculptural decoration. The towers were reduced in height in 1955 due to structural weakness.

The church's true treasure is the decor of its sanctuary. Every plastered surface is covered with decorative paintings. Ceilings are painted with floral designs and the pendentiyes with various religious symbols. These designs, as all others throughout the building, are in soft, almost pastel colors set against white background. The Shrine's beautiful altar in the Italian Renaissance style was carved in wood by Bueschers in Chicago, a company renowned for its religious artwork, and installed in 1867. The Shrine's delicately carved pulpit was designed and hand cut by a Jesuit brother who was stationed at the church in its early years. Stained glass windows that are more than 150 years old grace the church.
 
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