Update: This was also the location of B’Nai Amoona at one point.
The small church building above appears in Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in 1909, with a vacant lot to the south at the corner of Academy and Vernon Avenues. Obviously, the congregation of the now-vanished Brank Memorial Presbyterian Church constructed the smaller building first, and the large Gothic Revival building came later. It doesn’t seem the congregation last long, and a series of other churches occupied the building.
In fact, the larger sanctuary on the site has terracotta that reads “The Assumption” on the front facade. It will remain a mystery for the time-being.
Chris, if I am not mistaken, I believe that this church served as a synagogue for one of the Jewish congregations that eventually settled in University City. I have the research notes somewhere, I will let you know the name once I find my notes
Wow, thank you, David!
It reminds me of the old synagogue on Delmar and Clara (?)
Lisa, you are correct, there is a church at that intersection in a very similar architectural style.
http://stlouispatina.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Debaliviere-Place-104.jpg
Article from the St. Louis Star-Times 3/27/33 says the Congregation B’nai Amoona bought a small building at that location in 1916. In June 1918 they laid the cornerstone for the larger building which was dedicated in April 1919. A school building was added in 1921. They stayed there till 1950, when they moved to U City.
After that, it was the Assumption Greek Orthodox church. They stayed till ca. 1956 when they sold to the Sunny Mount Baptist Church. They were followed by the Academy First Baptist church (mid-1970s) and the Holy Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church by the mid-1980s. Holy Metropolitan still owns the property.
Ah, fascinating! that 1916 date matches up to the date I found for when the Brank congregation closed! Thank you!