620 North Spring Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
United States
Opening Reception, October 8
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, in St. Louis, Missouri, has opened the Spring Church, a new outdoor public space for artist projects and community gathering, located in the ruins of a nearby church. The Gothic-revival-style building had been destroyed by fire in 2001, leaving only its architectural shell still standing. Over the last twenty years, the remaining structure became a beloved community landmark and the site of impromptu gatherings and other events.
Improvements to the church began in 2020 with a goal of stabilizing the structure while maintaining its architectural character. The design was undertaken by St. Louis-based Kiku Obata & Company and McNealey Engineering, Inc.
The Church, which is roofless, remains open to the sky, retaining a feature that has helped make the building an iconic site in the neighborhood. Updates include accessible pathways, repairs to the masonry, and new infrastructure for electricity and lighting, among other upgrades. In addition to the Church, the initiative also encompasses an adjacent lot that has undergone enhancements and will remain a publicly accessible green space. Designed by Studio Land Arts, of Granite City, Illinois, this space includes seating and plants, integrating architectural elements from a former building that were unearthed during construction.
The Spring Church was inaugurated earlier this month with an installation by multidisciplinary artist and activist Jordan Weber. Entitled All Our Liberations, the installation featured a three-tiered sculpture that was utilized as a centerpiece for programs and events, activating the space for community learning, reflection, and healing. In April 2023, Weber will expand All Our Liberations as a part of Counterpublic, a St. Louis-wide arts triennial. The project will be organized by Diya Vij, Associate Curator at Creative Time.
The Pulitzer’s transformation of the Spring Church follows that of Park-Like, a sustainably designed green space located across the street from the museum. Like Park-Like, the Spring Church will be open daily, free of charge, from sunrise to sunset. Pulitzer Executive Director Cara Starke notes, “The Pulitzer is deeply committed to contributing to our neighborhood, expanding the visitor experience of the Foundation to include not only the museum at its heart, but also Park-Like and now the Spring Church. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors and visitors, whether it be to spend time in the space on their own terms or to experience public art in the Spring Church’s unique architecture.”
The opening celebration on October 8 includes a performance with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s InUnison Chorus and guided tours. Other partnerships and projects will be announced this fall.
