In 2023, a fire severely damaged the St. Lucas Church at the corner of Gravois & Allen Avenues in Soulard, leaving the historic building with a collapsed roof and significant structural damage. Built in 1866, the church has long been a neighborhood landmark and is notable for its ties to the area’s Bohemian immigrant community. Since the fire, the property has remained vacant and in deteriorating condition.
This week, the Soulard Restoration Group filed a lawsuit against the property’s owner, citing ongoing neglect and safety concerns. The group is seeking legal action to address the state of the building, which has drawn repeated complaints from neighbors and visitors alike. More details on the case can be found in Sarah Fenske’s full report for St. Louis Magazine.
