New Website Launched

The Shrine of St. Joseph is proud to announce the launch of their new Web site. Developed by ePlus Marketing, the new site has a new look and features with additional features to be added in the future.

Founded in 1843 by the Jesuits, the Shrine is located at the corner of 11th Street and Biddle in the city of St. Louis. It is the site of the only authenticated miracle in the Midwest. Once a thriving parish, the church is now a Shrine and maintained by the Shrine of St. Joseph’s Friends, Inc., a non-profit organization whose purpose is to restore and preserve the Shrine as a landmark and Catholic Church.

The first new feature of the Website is the online mailing list sign-up. This feature will enable the Shrine to send out notices and newsletters online. Site visitors can join the mailing list by adding their email address to the sign-up box displayed on most pages. If patrons of the Shrine would like a newsletter mailed to their home they can become a member of the Friends of The Shrine of St. Joseph. Application information is also on the site.

In addition to the newsletter feature, the layout of some of the pages has changed. Every design element of the church including the colors, paintings, statues, etc. has a special meaning. The Website has begun to capture each element and explain its meaning in the Tour sections of the site. Site visitors can click on thumbnail impressions which will display larger photographs of areas of the Shrine such as the main altar and two side altars. The tour continues to break down each facet and explains its meaning.

Stained glass windows and other elements of the church serve two purposes decoration and education. These decorations coninue to teach the vast history and spiritual believes of the Catholic Church.

“We are very pleased with the new site,” stated Tom Milligan the member of the Shrine in charge of overseeing the new site. “ePlus Marketing has done an excellent job with not only the design of the site but suggestions on how the Internet can benefit our organization.”

“This has been one of our “pet” projects.” Explains Patricia Hughes, President of ePlus Marketing. “It’s been a labor of love for us. As a Catholic and someone who teaches those wishing to convert to our faith, it was important to me that we took the time to include additional explanations of the various church elements.”

The Website has only captured a part of the magnificent church’s artistic elements and rich history. Future additions to the site will include photographs and explanations of the church’s stain glass windows, Station of the Cross plagues and other aspects. The history section too will expand with the story of how the tragic murder of Father Filipiak in 1979 helped save the church and information on the restoration efforts.

The site can be accessed online at http://www.shrineofstjoseph.org. Personal tours are conducted each Sunday after the 11:00 a.m. Mass or by request.

Shrine of St. Joseph
1220 North 11th Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63106