Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America’s Heartland
Msgr. Michael John Witt was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in 1990. Before that, he served the Church for twenty-two years as a Christian Brother teaching in Oklahoma, Missouri and Tennessee.
He holds a Ph.D. in Modern European History from Saint Louis University and a Masters in Divinity from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. He has served the archdiocese as associate pastor, pastor, Director of Continuing Formation for Priests, and Director of the Permanent Diaconate. Following his retirement in 2025, Msgr. Witt was named Professor Emeritus of Church History at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. Besides publishing six books on Catholic topics and contributing journal articles, Monsignor Witt assembled a 169-part series on Catholic Church history and this 200+ episode series on St. Louis Church History which were both broadcast on Covenant Network Catholic Radio.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
As German immigration surges, Missouri sees the rise of towns like Westphalia, Washington, and Dutzau. Bishop Rosati sends priests to serve these growing communities, including Father Meinkmann and Father Helias. Meanwhile, the Potawatomi are forcibly relocated, and the tragic consequences of the Black Hawk War unfold across the Midwest.*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
The Chouteau family’s legacy continues westward as Kansas City is born. Father Benedict Roux struggles with ministry on the frontier, while Bernice Chouteau emerges as a resilient matriarch. Meanwhile, Father John St. Cyr becomes Chicago’s first resident priest, forging early ties between the two rising cities of the Midwest.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
German immigration transforms Missouri, with settlers drawn by rich farmland and freedom. Towns like Apple Creek, Quincy, and Dubuque begin to flourish, and brick churches replace log cabins as Catholic communities grow. Missionary priests like Father Lefevre and Father Mazzuchelli expand the Church’s reach across the Midwest.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Bishop Rosati begins construction on the new St. Louis Cathedral, facing enormous financial challenges and relying on loans and European aid. Meanwhile, efforts to evangelize Arkansas falter amid cultural clashes and harsh conditions—until Irish clergy and religious orders eventually bring lasting success to the region.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Three orders of sisters—the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and Sisters of Loretto—arrive in St. Louis, transforming healthcare and education. From hospitals and orphanages to schools for the deaf, their work lays the foundation for Catholic service in the Midwest, supported by Bishop Rosati’s tireless recruiting.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
As Protestant denominations grow in St. Louis, Bishop Rosati navigates tensions with Bishop DuBourg over seminaries and clergy assignments. The Diocese of Louisiana is officially split, with Rosati leading the northern half. Despite challenges, Rosati emerges as a steady and diplomatic force in the Church’s expansion.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Bishop Rosati officially becomes the first Bishop of St. Louis, inheriting a vast frontier territory. Amid financial struggles and shifting clergy assignments, the Jesuits take over St. Louis College, transforming it into St. Louis University. Rosati’s leadership begins shaping the Catholic heartland of America.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and the Sacred Heart Sisters settle into Florissant, facing challenges with livestock, leaky cabins, and erratic leadership from Bishop DuBourg. As vocations grow and new schools are founded, tensions rise with shifting clergy assignments and financial strain. The frontier Church perseveres through faith and resilience.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
The Jesuits arrive in Florissant and begin building their novitiate from scratch—literally. Amid harsh winters and unreliable government funding, they launch St. Francis Regis School for Native boys. Meanwhile, Bishop DuBourg persuades the Sacred Heart Sisters to relocate from St. Charles to Florissant, reigniting their mission in Missouri.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.
Monday Oct 20, 2025
Monday Oct 20, 2025
Bishop DuBourg’s efforts to evangelize the Osage Nation unfold amid broken treaties and federal neglect. The Jesuits return to St. Louis thanks to Father Nerinckx’s unexpected recruiting success, bringing future leaders like Peter De Smet and Felix Van Quickenborn. The seeds of Catholic expansion in the American heartland begin to take root.
*Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland originally aired on Covenant Network Catholic Radio. These podcast episodes are being released in anticipation of the Bicentennial Celebrations of the founding of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the Diocese of St. Louis on July 18, 1826.