ST. LOUIS — More than 200 volunteers have shoveled debris, swept ash and picked up bricks after a devastating fire last week tore through the historic St. Liborius church, destroying the rectory and indoor skate park that called the north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ parish home.
Steph Kukuljan and other business reporters bring you insights into ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½-area real estate and development.
Sk8 Liborius, which operates the skate park, said it’s determined to rebuild — one way or the other — and fulfill its mission of providing a sanctuary for skaters, artists and others. It wouldn’t be the first time Sk8 Liborius has tried to save the church, at the corner of Hogan and North Market streets.
“We are invested in our neighborhood and our community, and we don’t want to go anywhere,†said Lorna Kurdi, president of the Liborius Urban Art Studios nonprofit that runs the group. “We’re gonna figure out how we rise.â€
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Artwork is visible in the destroyed interior of Sk8 Liborious, a skate park inside the former building of St. Liborius Catholic Church, after a four-alarm fire on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
St. Liborius has been reborn many times over its 134-year-old life. It was originally built for the thousands of German Catholic immigrants who arrived in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Then, as the Germans moved out of the neighborhood, the church served other faithful before a dwindling number of parishioners forced its closure in the 1990s.
The Catholic Worker project called the Karen House used the three-building complex as a homeless shelter before it turned over the church a decade ago to Dave Blum and Bryan Bedwell to use for their indoor skate park and community outreach organization, . Both have years of experience with creative problem solving: Blum worked with City Museum founder Bob Cassilly and Bedwell is a skate park builder — he constructed one under the Kingshighway viaduct.
Sk8 Liborius was in the process of raising over $1 million to bring the building, which had deteriorated over the years, up to code when the fire occurred on June 28.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours overnight, dousing other nearby buildings to stop the fire from spreading. No one was injured.
On Thursday, the cause of the fire had still not been determined, but Kurdi said the group believes it started near the kitchen in the rectory.
“The fire traveled across the roofs. The first and second floors of the rectory are, for the most part, water- and smoke-damaged,†Kurdi said. “The shell of the sanctuary is still standing, apart from the roof.â€
Sk8 Liborius is unsure of the condition of the floor where the roof fell; there’s a basement underneath that could compromise how much weight the floor could hold. The group is reaching out to engineers to provide a better assessment. It applied for a demolition permit with the city of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, Kurdi said, “to cover all of our bases.â€
“We’re not going anywhere,†she said. “We just have to figure out what’s our new look.â€
Sk8 Liborius launched to raise money to rebuild. It’s received donations from across the country, and even from Ireland. It will post opportunities for volunteers on its and accounts.
St. Liborius has always had a special pull for Kurdi. She remembers the goosebumps she felt every time she walked in. It’s a feeling worth saving.
“The awe of that building never goes away,†Kurdi said.
Firefighters continue to put water on the smoldering ashes of Sk8 Liborius, a skate park in a historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. A four-alarm fire late Wednesday that continued into the early morning hours of Thursday, burned the roof off and reduced the building to a brick shell. Video by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Steph Kukuljan and other business reporters bring you insights into ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½-area real estate and development.
Dave Blum and Bryan Bedwell are the shepherds at St. Liborius today. Skateboard ramps have replaced pews, and color-drenched murals and graffiti cover the once-ornate walls. The flock they tend is Sk8 Liborius, their nonprofit skate park and youth outreach center. Video by Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Photos: Fire burns Sk8 Liborius, once the St. Liborius Catholic church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Place neighborhood
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Artwork is visible in the destroyed interior of Sk8 Liborious, a skate park inside the former building of St. Liborius Catholic Church, after a four-alarm fire on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
Fire guts Sk8 Liborius skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church

Firefighters continue to put water on the smoldering remains of Sk8 Liborius, a skate park in the former St. Liborius church, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. A four-alarm fire late Wednesday burned through the early morning hours of Thursday and reduced the building to a brick shell.
Church fire

The former St. Liborius church at Hogan and North Market streets, recently home to a skatepark, went up in flames late Wednesday and early Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Fire guts Sk8 Liborius skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church

Firefighters continue to put water on the smoldering ashes of Sk8 Liborius, a skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. A four-alarm fire late Wednesday that burned through early morning hours of Thursday burned the roof off and reduced the building to a brick shell. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborious sanctuary

A historic photo of the altar and sanctuary of St. Liborius church in north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. The altar is now at the Nazareth Living Center in south ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ County, a move facilitated by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Archdiocese's Reclamation Center.
Video: Fire guts Sk8 Liborius skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Evan Stovall of Oakville skateboards Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church, now Sk8 Liborius.
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Destruction after a four-alarm fire in the historic St. Liborius church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Joss Hay, right, part-owner, gets a hug from Lucy Mertz, left, volunteer, as firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Four-alarm fire in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Firefighters continue to work the scene of a four-alarm fire in a historic church that had been converted into skate park Sk8 Liborius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Bryan Bedwell of Sk8 Liborius

Bryan Bedwell of Sk8 Liborius (Courtesy of Sk8 Liborius)
Dave Blum of Sk8 Liborius

Dave Blum is founder of Sk8 Liborius (Courtesy of Sk8 Liborius)
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Chris Grindz of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ tricks off a rail spine while skateboarding Dec. 11, 2021, in the choir loft of the former St. Liborius Church, now Sk8 Liborius.
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Skaters gather in the entrance on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Amy Travis, of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, roller skates on an indoor halfpipe on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Tracy Koehler, left, and Amy Travis, both of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, roller skate in an indoor halfpipe on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Johnny Stack, 16, of St. Peters, takes a break in an area where the altar was on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, while skateboarding in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Johnny Stack, 16, of St. Peters, skates indoors on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Johnny Stack of St. Peters tricks on an indoor halfpipe Dec. 11, 2021, at Sk8 Liborius. The community arts center and indoor skate park occupies the former St. Liborius Church.Â
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Joe Sesh, right, a junior at Washington University and Kevin Quick, left of Weldon Spring, volunteer moving a bunch of doors on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. The two are skateboarders who traded their labor to skate inside the old church. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

The former St. Liborius Church, photographed on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, closed nearly 30 years ago. It was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

Evan Stovall, of Oakville, jumps a flat rail while skateboarding on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the former St. Liborius Church in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½' Old North neighborhood. St. Liborius, which closed nearly 30 years ago, was bought and turned it into a community arts center and nearly block-long indoor skatepark, now called Sk8 Liborius. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
St. Liborius to Sk8 Liborius

A halfpipe fills the sanctuary of the former St. Liborius Church, which closed nearly 30 years ago and now is home to Sk8 Liborius.Â
St. Liborius Church

St. Liborius Church, 1840 Hogan Street, north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Fire guts Sk8 Liborius skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church

Firefighters continue to put water on the smoldering ashes of Sk8 Liborius, a skate park in historic north ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ church, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. A four-alarm fire late Wednesday that burned through early morning hours of Thursday burned the roof off and reduced the building to a brick shell. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com