Author Talk: Patrick Murphy--Places to Pray: Holy Sites in Catholic Missouri

Patrick Murphy has spent the past 40 years telling stories of the American heartland. A five-time Emmy Award winner, he has produced television programs for PBS, both locally and nationally, as well as documentaries and weekly series. He took a year to visit every corner of Missouri, exploring its Roman Catholic history and culture.

From the grand basilicas of Missouri's big cities to small churches in every corner of the state, the stories of generations of Catholic immigrants are set in stone. These churches endure today as monuments to the struggles and the faith of those new Americans and their descendants. In Places to Pray, Murphy's new book, he takes readers to churches, shrines, convents, and monasteries throughout Missouri. He explores the architectural marvels of St. Louis and Kansas City and visits neighborhood parishes that proudly hold on to the ethnic flavors of their founders. His book is intended for readers of all faiths and walks of life who might venture into some of these places to experience realms beyond those offered by daily life.