Next, on my tour of the area damaged by Paul McKee’s Northside TIF, I headed towards what was left of St. Augustine. Illegal dumping is very common in the blocks where houses once stood but were demolished after brick theft destroyed homes.
This private club is still going, I think. The tower of St. Augustine’s is still standing for the time being. I do not know what the future holds.
McKee didn’t have anything to do with St. Augustine catching fire, but he did have something to do with many of the houses being bought up around the church and being left vacant, only to be despoiled by brick thieves.
There used to be so many more houses here back in 2008 when I first saw this church, and they were destroyed one by one by neglect.
My heart broke when that church burned. I have photographed it myself and followed the story of the young couple who bought it in hopes of saving it. Glad to know the tower is still standing. I hope somehow it can remain standing safely but won’t get my hopes up.
That large house next to the tower is clearly savable , a fine structure . That Club sure has little pretense ! Needs a bay window and doorman .
I believe you are referring to what was the church rectory!
Yes , Possibly a rectory or a convent ? Fist rate building .
It is the rectory, as this link is explains. https://preservemo.org/former-st-augustine-catholic-church/
Yep, the building is the rectory, and was once connected to the church by a short corridor.
Would be amazing if the tower could be repurposed as a clock tower, and create some type of plaza around it with a fountain, shops, etc. Have it be a destination point for the area.