Twin Spires stands tall amid modern modesty
Rebecca Evans
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the heart of St. Joseph, the Twin Spires Complex towers above its surroundings, not just in height, but in craftsmanship.
Built during a time when architectural ambition met deep religious devotion, the Gothic Revival-style church and its accompanying buildings now serve as a striking contrast to modern construction.
Courtesy of Richard Mahoney
The centerpiece of the complex, now the Pro-Life Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church, otherwise known as Twin Spires, was completed in 1908 after a fire destroyed the original structure.
Designed by famed local architect Edmund J. Eckel, the church features soaring twin spires, pointed arched windows, a grand, symmetrical entrance and a steeply pitched gable roof. Hallmarks of a time when buildings were designed to inspire.
The limestone exterior features hand-carved tracery, detailed stonework guiding the eye skyward. This wasn’t just a building; it was an expression of faith, craftsmanship and permanence.
Inside, the artistry continues. Ribbed vaults stretch across the ceiling, creating design while also supporting structure.
Slender columns branch like trees, forming elegant fan patterns above. Every detail is deliberate, rooted in centuries-old cathedral design tradition.
“Sacred architecture reflects what it signifies, and so our faith is known by what we see,” said Richard Mahoney, the current owner of the Twin Spires. “The churches all face east because in the Bible, our Lord Jesus will return in glory from the East. And they are also built in the shape of a cross.”
Courtesy of Richard Mahoney
The Twin Spires complex once served St. Joseph’s German Catholic community and included a convent, rectory and school, two of which remain among the oldest buildings in the city.
Though the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph later considered closing and demolishing the site, but parishioners and preservationists formed Twin Spires Inc., securing ownership and funding for restoration.
The stained-glass windows were imported from Innsbruck, Austria, nearly 5,000 miles away from here. They are embedded 18 inches into the walls and depict the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
Courtesy of Richard Mahoney
Mahoney hopes to restore the church to its former glory.
“It’s one of two churches that have windows dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the United States,” said Paul Helmer, architect. “It really is something to be very, very proud of, it’s something you don’t get in a lot of cities.”
According to construction experts, today’s materials prioritize efficiency and cost.
“The cost is always a huge driving factor. People want as nice and as much quality as they can get for as cost-effective as possible,” said Lucas Weaver, owner of Epic Construction. “Buildings like that, there was a tremendous amount of time, effort, and craftsmanship that went into it.”
Ornamentation becomes impractical. Modern building codes add additional constraints, including fire safety, insulation and accessibility. All crucial, but often at the expense of aesthetic detail.
Few clients today have the budget for hand-carved stone or custom stained glass. The artistry of the past has become a luxury many simply cannot afford.
“The guys that were building back then were true craftsmen,” said Weaver, “A lot of the commercial buildings today, they’re kind of LEGO sets, you just put them together. Back then, their hands were on every aspect of it.”
Twin Spires wasn’t just constructed; it was crafted. Every element serves both a structural and aesthetic purpose.
In an era focused on speed and efficiency, these Twin Spires stand as a quiet testament to what we can create when we build not just for function, but for beauty.