St. John Nepomuk Parish Historic District facts for kids
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St. John Nepomuk Parish
Historic District |
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St. John Nepomuk Church in 2012
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 Location in St. Louis
Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11th and 12th Sts. between Carroll St. and Lafayette Ave. St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | Adolphus Druiding |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| MPS | LaSalle Park MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001558 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 19, 1972 |
The St. John Nepomuk Parish Historic District is a special area in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It is built around the Catholic church of St. John Nepomuk. This important area is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
History of St. John Nepomuk
The St. John Nepomuk church was started in 1854. It was created for people from Bohemia, a region now part of the Czech Republic. This was the very first church of its kind in the United States. At one point, a newspaper in the Czech language was even printed in one of the church buildings.
As more people joined the church, new buildings were needed. New church buildings were constructed in 1873 and again in 1887. The church you see today was mostly rebuilt in 1897. This was because a big tornado had badly damaged the building the year before, in 1896.
The church also had a school for children. The parish school started in 1869 and is located across Eleventh Street from the church. Nuns from the School Sisters of Notre Dame taught at the school.
In 1971, the church building and six other buildings nearby were named a City Landmark in St. Louis. The entire area was then listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The parish officially closed in 2005. However, the church building itself is still used as a chapel for services.
Architecture and Design
The St. John Nepomuk church was designed by an architect named Adolphus Druiding. He was from Chicago and was known for designing many Catholic churches, schools, and other buildings. He worked mostly in the Midwestern United States.
The church is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often includes pointed arches, tall spires, and large windows. The outside of the church is made of brick. This helps it blend in with the other buildings in the Soulard neighborhood.
