Saint Louis: The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America’s Heartland

Ep. 1.28: French Émigré Enrich the Church in America

The Sulpicians arrive in America and begin transforming Catholic life, founding seminaries and serving frontier missions. From Kentucky to Kaskaskia, their impact is profound despite poverty, language barriers, and unreliable government support. Their perseverance lays the groundwork for a stronger Church in the West.
*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.

Ep. 1.27: Father Emery Fears the Revolution

As Bishop Carroll rises to leadership in the American Church, the chaos of the French Revolution sends waves of clergy fleeing to safety—including the elite Sulpicians. This episode explores how their arrival reshaped Catholic education and missionary work in the U.S., and how a world-class seminary nearly relocated from Paris to Baltimore.
 
*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.

Ep. 1.26: Carroll Becomes a Bishop

Episode 26 unpacks the tangled web of Catholic jurisdiction in early America, spotlighting the arrival of Irish priest James Maxwell in Spanish St. Genevieve and the complex legacy of Father Gibault in New Madrid. It also explores the geopolitical chaos surrounding the Louisiana territory, Napoleon’s failed colonial ambitions, and the early struggles of Bishop John Carroll to establish Catholic leadership in the new United States.
 
*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.

Ep. 1.25: The Four Gracious Daughters

Episode 25 dives into the early growth of St. Louis after the American Revolution, spotlighting elite Creole families, expanding frontier villages, and the chaotic state of the Catholic Church in the region. From land disputes to priestly power struggles, it’s a vivid look at the cultural and religious transformation of the American 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.
 

Ep. 1.24: The Battle of Saint Louis

In this episode, Monsignor and Teresa recount the dramatic Battle of St. Louis during the American Revolution. As the British, Canadian trappers, and allied Native forces massed an army of over 1,200 to seize the town, Lieutenant Governor Leyba organized defenses, funding and overseeing the construction of Fort San Carlos and palisades. Outnumbered nearly three to one, Spanish regulars, French Creole militia, and volunteers held firm with cannon fire and musket lines, repelling the attackers on Corpus Christi Day in 1780. Though often overlooked in history, the successful defense of St. Louis ensured the survival of the settlement and preserved Spanish—and eventually American—control of the Mississippi Valley.
*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.

Ep. 1.23: Catholics at War

Monsignor and Teresa continue exploring the Catholic contributions to the American Revolution, both on the East Coast and in the Mississippi Valley. They highlight the vital roles of French commanders Rochambeau and de Grasse at Yorktown, as well as the leadership of Father John Carroll and his cousin Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. The conversation then shifts west, where Father Pierre Gibault’s influence among French Creoles and Native peoples helped George Rogers Clark secure Kaskaskia for the Americans. The episode closes with rising tensions in St. Louis, setting the stage for the coming Battle of St. Louis.
*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.

Ep. 1.22: The American Revolution

In this 22nd episode, Monsignor and Teresa shift from St. Louis to the East Coast, tracing the events leading up to the American Revolution and how they shaped the young colonies. They review the French and Indian War, the Proclamation of 1763, and a series of British taxes and acts—including the Stamp Act, Quartering Act, and Tea Act—that fueled colonial resentment and resistance. The episode highlights pivotal moments such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Bunker Hill, while also exploring the overlooked role of Catholics in the Revolution. From the Carroll family of Maryland to Catholic allies like Lafayette, de Grasse, and Rochambeau, Monsignor emphasizes how Catholics helped earn respect through their contributions to America’s fight for independence.
*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.

Ep. 1.21: Trading and Trapping with the Osage

In this 21st episode, Monsignor and Teresa continue their exploration of the Osage people and their profound influence on St. Louis history. They discuss the Osage visit to Paris in 1725 and the possibility that their civic traditions inspired Montesquieu’s Spirit of Law. The conversation then shifts to the fur trade, highlighting the Osage’s vital role in supplying pelts and goods, their partnership with Laclède and the Chouteau family, and the deep respect that grew between them. The episode concludes with the poignant final days of Pierre Laclède, his death along the Arkansas River, and the legacy he left behind in the founding of St. Louis.
*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.

Ep. 1.20: The Osage

In this 20th episode, Monsignor and Teresa explore the history and culture of the Osage people, who played a pivotal role as “co-founders” of St. Louis. Drawing on Louis Burns’ definitive history, they trace the Osage from their ancient roots along the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers to their vast stronghold across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The discussion highlights their impressive physical stature, rich resources, advanced governance, and military strength, which made them powerful allies—and feared opponents—in the region. The episode closes with a teaser about how the Osage may have even influenced the development of modern Western government.
*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.

Ep. 1.19: The Spanish Arrive

In this episode, Monsignor and Theresa explore the slow but eventual consolidation of Spanish control in Louisiana, focusing on both St. Louis and New Orleans in the mid-1700s. They describe the challenges faced by early Spanish governors, the Creole community’s reputation for being carefree and trade-focused, and how leaders like Don Pedro Piernas and Alejandro O’Reilly helped stabilize and strengthen Spanish authority. The conversation also highlights the growth of St. Louis into a food producer and trading hub, the unique mix of cultures, and the beginnings of its first parish church. The episode closes with reflections on the city’s religious life, showing that the Creoles’ faith and customs were more vibrant than early critics suggested.
*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.