The stretch of Union Boulevard just north of Delmar features one of the greatest civic ensembles of buildings in St. Louis.

Over the next week, I will take a look at these buildings, many by some of the most famous architects in St. Louis.

First up is Pilgrim Congregational Church. It is the original occupant, and alive and well to this day.

Though the church was founded in 1866, this current church was designed by Mauran, Russell and Garden in 1906, showing the westward push of the wealthy towards the West End in the time of the World’s Fair.

It is a Romanesque Revival church, reminding me more of Italian churches with some German influence in its expression of the Romanesque style. The clocks are broken, unfortunately.

Interestingly, a little Gothic Revival chapel joins its larger sanctuary to the south.

Tune in to 97.1 to hear me talk about St. Louis architecture and history with Pat McGonigle at 4:00 PM on December 23rd, this Wednesday.