Vincentian Press to close after more than 80 years

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Vincentian Press, a staple in the St. Louis Catholic community since the late 1920s, will close its door on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

Vincentian Father Joseph Begue and Lauretta Crouse, who have more than a century of service there between them, are saddened by the closure but expressed thanks to their longtime customers. “All the staff of Vincentian Press are grateful for our customers’ many kindnesses and loyal support,” Father Begue said. “God bless and keep you all.”

Vincentian Press is in a four-story brick building next door to St. Vincent de Paul Church, south of Downtown St. Louis. The store’s name dates back to a Vincentian publication that shared the building with the retail operation from the late 1920s to the 1960s.

Father Mark Pranaitis, assistant provincial of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians), said, “The Western Province is incredibly grateful for the service Father Begue and Miss Crouse have provided over the years. I have heard from a number of loyal customers who expressed their sadness at the closing of Vincentian Press. The province is thankful for their loyal patronage over the years. The recently reconfigured Western Province is trying to follow God’s call and steward its resources wisely.”

He said plans for the building, which is owned by the Vincentians, have not yet been determined.

Customers will appreciate another special thank-you: Almost all items, except the Nativity sets and Fontanini figures, are on sale at greatly reduced rates, Father Begue said.

That includes everything from children’s coloring books and clergy vestments to greeting cards, rosaries, candles, crucifixes and communion hosts, as well as chalices and other items used during Mass, baby items, First Communion and wedding gifts and seasonal items, including Advent calendars and other holiday items.

“Our customers tell us we have a very good selection,” said Father Begue, 88, who came to Vincentian Press in 1958. Crouse, 74, was already there, having started helping out as a student because her mother worked at Vincentian Press.

“It’s always been a big part of my life,” Crouse said, “and very enjoyable because of our customers. They tell us they feel very comfortable here. We don’t rush them, we just let them take their time.”

One reason for the relaxed atmosphere, Father Begue explained, is “the bottom line was not the point.” He said, “We never advertised the store. It’s made money, but when I first came here, I was told that making money was not the point. We were to be of service to the Catholic people. We gave them good products at a good price, keeping in mind, of course, that we had to pay our bills. We were supposed to do our best to sell our items.”

Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice said, “I did most of my shopping down there. It’s like a real mom and pop store in the best sense of the word. Lauretta and Father Begue were so helpful, always there, and if they didn’t have an item they had the catalogue and they’d get on the phone and order it for you.”

Msgr. Daniel Hogan, pastor at St. Barnabas Parish in O’Fallon, said, “I’ve been going there from the year ordained, in 1953. They have always been very very accommodating, very helpful. I remember my first year after ordination I was sent to a very poor parish, and Laurettea really helped me get religious articles for our young people.”

Kathy Binz, president of the board of Birthright Counseling St. Louis and a longtime Birthright volunteer, said, “One of our longtime volunteers died, and she’d gone to Vincentian Press every year to get our service awards for our volunteers. We didn’t know what to get. We would have been up a creek, but Lauretta and Father Begue remembered her and knew what we needed exactly. When we found out they were closing, we bought everything we need for service awards for many years to come.”