Old St. Vincent's Church

Old St. Vincent’s Church, rebuilt in the 1850s after a tornado destroyed the original structure, somewhat resembles a pocket-size version of the spectacular St. Louis Cathedral a few miles upriver. The faux-marble columns are made from carefully smoothed and painted poplar, and the original gated pews still stand in the sanctuary.

A historical restoration completed 15 years ago has since elevated this small-town gem to showplace status. Stations of the Cross statuary draws the eye along plaster walls intended to mimic imposing granite stone blocks. A three-dimensional rendering of the Last Supper adorns the front of the altar. Six massive, ornate timber arches support a roof that was once crowned by a much taller steeple (a victim of lightning in 1912), and the choir loft holds a huge pipe organ that must be audible for miles.

Devout volunteers love to show visitors around but can get a little overzealous at times.