Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church
So named in the original 1836 platting of the St. Louis Commons because it formed the southern boundary of Lafayette Park. It honors the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), theFrench general and statesman who aided George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. He was enthusiastically received in St. Louis during a triumphal visit in 1825.
Lafayette Park Church traces its history to Wesley Chapel at Broadway and Chouteau, started in the late 1830s. It moved to 11th and Chouteau in 1873. As the city expanded westward, the church moved to its present location in 1888. The cornerstone of the present sanctuary was laid in 1900.
The impact of the church on the neighborhood and vice-versa has been shown in many ways. The Lafayette Square Restoration Committee, the historic district’s neighborhood organization, used the church’s offset press to print one of the first year's annual House Tours brochure. Moreover, the church opened its doors during the four days of the tour. Nearly 3,000 persons came through to admire the stained-glass windows, woodwork and impressive pipe organ.
At the committee’s annual awards banquet, Tom Raber was both the object of some gentle ribbing and the recipient of the group’s “Pioneer Preacher Award.” In addition, the church completed “Camp Something Else,” an eight-week summer program attended by some 40 neighborhood children. Eventually a day care program was started in the church.
Of course Lafayette’s pastor hasn’t had to do it all alone. There has been generous help from the St. Louis Mission and Church Extension Society and a commitment from the church at large to ministry in the city.
With Lafayette Park’s renewed virality and visibility, it was only fitting that the recent “Bishop’s Call to an Urban Ministry Celebration” be held at the church. In its long history, this congregation has mirrored both the worst and the best of the urban church. As United Methodists poured in from over the city, Lafayette Park UMC did indeed have a lot to celebrate.
Important Events in Our History
1839
A small group of Methodists met at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. This became the Wesley Chapel Society, later the Chouteau Avenue Methodist Church.
1848
The church moved to the northeast corner of Eighth Street and Chouteau Avenue. The church was destroyed by a storm while under construction but was rebuilt and dedicated in 1850. The building was replaced by a larger building in 1873, at which time the name was changed to Chouteau Avenue Methodist Church South.
1888
Easter Sunday found the congregation marching from the Chouteau location to their new home at 2300 Lafayette. At this time the congregation adopted the new name Lafayette Park Methodist Church.
1896
The church was unroofed and badly damaged by the tornado in 1896 and services were temporarily held in the Y.M.C.A. and later in the rebuilt chapel. The present stone church, fronting on Lafayette Avenue, was completed in 1900 after designs by architect Theodore C. Link. The sanctuary features a glowing theater style octagonal interior with four balconies, an inclined seating design, cherry pews, a center isle, and lovely stained glass windows.
1901
The Kilgen pipe organ built and installed in the church.
1950s
The basement was dug out resulting in a Fellowship Hall, kitchen, meeting rooms, preschool room and a bowling alley.
1998
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church commits itself to being a caring and diverse church in our worship, prayer, and action by supporting the Reconciling Ministries Network. In January 1998, the LPUMC Church Council adopts the following language:
As a people of faith, we recognize the diversity of people created in the image of God. We welcome to this congregation people of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, health status and any element of humanity created by God.
2011
As part of our ongoing outreach and ministry efforts, two of our church members, Fred and Sharon Domke founded Bridge Bread with the aim of empowering individuals experiencing homelessness by providing them meaningful work and marketable skills. It has since grown into its own non-profit social enterprise continuing its mission to empower the housing-insecure with restorative employment, marketable skills, and financial assistance for housing, helping them become self-sufficient community members.