Constructed in 1834, the old stone Des Peres Presbyterian Church is rapidly approaching the bicentennial mark out in Frontenac off Geyer Road. Despite the roof collapsing in 1874 and a car crashing into it a few years ago, the venerable church has remained a beacon in the community.
At one point it was threatened with demolition due to its precarious location only feet away from Geyer Road, but those issues have been resolved.
While subdivisions of houses lie only a couple hundred feet away from the church, the setting is still rural in appearances, and looks much like it probably did when famed abolitionist and preacher Elijah P. Lovejoy gave sermons within its walls. Lovejoy, of course, would go on to operate a newspaper in Alton, where he was killed by a pro-slavery mob. (By the way, if you have access to Newspapers.com, you can actually read his newspaper on-line. Many libraries can provide you access.)
Supposedly this is the oldest Protestant church in Missouri, and with the sad demolition of Rock Hill Presbyterian, one of the few remaining early pioneer houses of worship left in St. Louis County. Old Bonhomme is one I can think of off the top of my head.
Sadly, despite the legacy of Lovejoy, many congregants owned slaves, and they are buried in the southeast corner of the cemetery.
I do not know how active the cemetery is, or how recent burials are. There are obviously some very old ones.
As far as I could tell, this is the portion of the cemetery where the slave burials are located. Supposedly the church was also a location for the Underground Railroad but I don’t know if I believe that if the congregation was split in its loyalties.
I know one of the recent Pastors with access to that church, Chris. I’ll reach out to her to see if she has additional details, though your summary here is extensive! Thanks for this one and all of your contributions of background information on St Louis buildings and architecture!
Yes, it was used by freedom seekers following the Network to Freedom known as the Underground Railroad. Many in this Presbyterian Church, like the ones in St. Charles and Dardenne Prairie, did not actually split prior to the Civil War, but worshippers were both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. While several were for gradual emancipation, there were those like Elijah Lovejoy who was considered a radical abolitionist. He began as a Presbyterian minister and began his career at this church. He also spoke often at the Presbyterian Church in St. Charles where his wife’s family lived. He is considered the founder of the FREE PRESS even to this day.