Saints Cyril and Methodius, Polish National Church, Old North St. Louis

This relatively humble church rumored to be the third oldest continually operated church in the city, sits right on I-70 in Old North.

Not a part of the Roman Catholic Church, but a Polish-American breakoff, the congregation bought the church from the earlier Protestant congregation.

Consequently, what had been the front dais of the church was turned into the choir loft, and the rear of the church was sectioned off into three alcoves: the apse and two side chapels.

The building is in good condition, and I was welcomed warmly by members of the congregation, who were also selling their famous Polish donuts that Saturday.

Since the church is antebellum, its fixtures are rare and valuable, including this milk glass on the exterior window of the church. I particularly liked the griffin head below on a couch.

The stage curtain was handpainted by the congregation long ago, and it is still intact.

Old North St. Louis, Late Afternoon

Yes, you can relax in North St. Louis without worrying about getting shot by drug dealers. I took these two photos while enjoying the waning hours of sunlight with some friends outside of the La Mancha Coffeehouse, which I encourage you to visit the next time you're in the Old North neighborhood.

Shots Around St. Louis by Jeff Phillips

I gave my friend in from China a tour around the city and parts of Illinois, and these are some of the shots he took.

Above, Armour Meat Packing Plant, and below a corner store in North City.

Below, I think this house is in Old North St. Louis.

Taking a shot of some houses while we were driving creates an interesting visual effect in the foreground.

The lines of the McKinley Bridge never cease to amaze me as well.

And finally, the view of downtown from the old National Stockyards. The day we were there the prostitutes out along Route 3 were wearing Santa Claus hats.

All photos by Jeff Phillips

Sad State of Buildings in North St. Louis

I decided to check up on some of the victims of brick theft in several north side neighborhoods. Houses that I photographed earlier this year or even last year cling to their existence, as battered as they are.

Old North St. Louis is holding up, but I am saddened to see houses that I first saw five years ago continuing to sit empty. This stately house below would go for several hundred thousand dollars in some south side neighborhoods.

I really like this alley house, a remnant of the time when this neighborhoods was so densely settled that houses sprouted up on secondary streets.

Sadly, nothing is happening with the burned out hulk of Fourth Baptist Church, which could be a center of life and activity in the neighborhood if properly restored.

North Broadway, Revisited

As the new Mississippi River Bridge slowly rises north of downtown, it will be interesting to see what happens to the largely desolate stretch of North Broadway that now runs under the approaches to the bridge.Many of the old refrigerated warehouses are vast, allowing for relatively easy refurbishment for new uses.The American Bag Company is one business that has occupied several buildings in a row.I find the peaked roof of this building amusing, as there is no roof behind the triangular facade.

Mullanphy Emigrant Home, Revisited

Stabilized after the ferocious storms that ripped one side of the building off, the Mullanphy Emigrant Home sits awaiting a new use for a new century.

South Side of Old North

The southern end of Old North St. Louis is shrouded in tall trees and dense underbrush, but there are still some houses left.At least some of the buildings seem to occupied, and it's interesting to see how people live right next door to more industrial and commercial buildings.Unfortunately, the whole area seems cut off and isolated. Honestly, I've rarely seen anybody in the area, and there doesn't even seem to be the element that seeks out dark streets and desolate blocks for criminal activity.The area is sure to change, as is demonstrated by the new route of Tucker Boulevard, which will connect to the new Mississippi River Bridge at Cass Avenue.

Checking In on Old North St. Louis

I took a walk around Old North St. Louis a couple of weeks ago with a friend, and I was pleased to see how well much of the rehabbing has held up in the last several years.Sadly, though, some buildings remain in a state of disrepair, including many rowhouses that could be fixed up as well as their neighbors.

Old North St. Louis in the Snow

I can't believe how much has changed in Old North, just in the four years I've been going up there and looking around.Back then, I went to Crown Candy, but now I go to several other new businesses, like the Urban Studio Cafe and the Old North Market.

Christmas at Fourth Baptist

Regardless of your religious views, you have to admit that it's a shame that the tradition of celebrating Christmas at Fourth Baptist Church came to an end in 2008. For another year since the devastating fire, there will be no Christmas service at the church. Will Christmas ever be celebrated within its walls again?

Old North, Land Reutilization Authority Houses

People often talk about how absentee landlords are a major problem for the city, but it's not always so simple.These are LRA properties (a city agency), according to signage on the buildings and the City Assessor's Property Database. I like the pile of illegally dumped tires.

Ashley Street Power Plant, Revisited

There is no more beautiful building in St. Louis than the Ashley Street Power Plant at sunset. It is filthy, but the way the stone reflects the sun is incredible.