St. John Nepomuk Parish Historic District, Historic district in Soulard neighborhood, St. Louis, United States.
St. John Nepomuk Parish Historic District is a neighborhood in Soulard centered on a red brick church in Gothic style and six additional buildings that together form a historic ensemble. The church sits at 1631 South 11th Street and displays characteristic Gothic features like pointed arches and solid brickwork.
The church was founded in 1854 by Czech immigrants as a small wood structure and rebuilt in its present brick form in 1897 after tornado damage destroyed the original. This rebuilding project made it a lasting landmark for the Czech community in St. Louis.
The district reflects the Czech community that settled here and kept their traditions alive through church celebrations and gatherings. Visitors can see today how the architecture and the place preserve the identity of this immigrant group.
The site is easy to reach on foot and the exteriors of the buildings can be viewed from the street. The church was designated a City Landmark in 1971, which means the historic features are protected and the facade remains well-maintained.
This was the first Bohemian Catholic church built in the United States, making it a vital reference point for the history of Czech emigration. The site thus documents the early steps of a community establishing itself in America.
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