St. Liborius Church and Buildings facts for kids
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St. Liborius Church and Buildings
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St. Liborius Church in 2012
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 Location in St. Louis
Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1835 N. 18th St. St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Built | 1889 (church) 1890 (rectory) 1905 (convent) |
| Architect | William Shickel |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003637 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 11, 1979 |
St. Liborius Church and Buildings is a special historic place in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It was once a Catholic church and its surrounding buildings. This important site is recognized as a National Historic Place. It is also a City Landmark in St. Louis.
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The Story of St. Liborius
St. Liborius was first started as a church for Germans living in the area. This happened way back in 1856. It became a central part of the community.
Building the Church
The main church building is very large and impressive. It was designed in a style called Gothic Revival. This style often features tall arches and detailed stonework. The church is covered in red brick. A famous architect named William Shickel from New York City designed it.
The church was finished in 1889. A rectory, which is where the priests lived, was built the next year in 1890. The convent, a building for nuns, was added in 1905. For many years, from 1859 to 1969, the School Sisters of Notre Dame taught at the parish school.
A Special Landmark
The church buildings were recognized as a City Landmark in St. Louis in 1975. Later, in 1979, they were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
Over time, fewer people attended the church. Because of this, St. Liborius joined with other nearby churches. The church building itself closed its doors in 1992. Many of the beautiful decorations inside were sold in 1993.
A New Purpose: Sk8 Liborius
After the church closed, the property was bought by a group called Hogan Street Partners LLC. They had a very unique idea for the old church. The building was renovated and turned into a private indoor skate park! It was named "Sk8 Liborius."
This new skate park became a cool spot. In 2016, famous artists like RasTerms and Depoe visited it. The skate park was also shown on a TV show called Abandoned on Viceland in late 2016.
Rebuilding for the Future
Sadly, a fire happened on June 29, 2023. The church building, the rectory, and the skate park inside were all destroyed. However, the community is working together to rebuild the space. They hope to bring this special place back to life.
