Demolition begins at former St. Augustine Catholic Church in 狐狸视频 on March 29, 2024, after the church experienced its third fire in two years on March 18, 2024. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
ST. LOUIS 鈥 A church building that is more than 100 years old is being demolished after it caught fire for the third time in two years.
St. Augustine Church was built 126 years ago. It caught fire on March 17; an inspection after the fire found the remaining structure was too dangerous, and had to be torn down.
The Land Reutilization Authority, which owns the building, contracted the work to Premier Demolition for $123,000. Demolitions is expected to continue for the next two weeks at 3114 Lismore Street.
The cause of the fire was still undetermined earlier this week, fire officials said.聽
Another fire scorched the building in December 2022, leading to the collapse of some walls and thwarting a nonprofit鈥檚 effort to聽build a community center听迟丑别谤别.
The city鈥檚 land bank took ownership of the building. Then, in January this year, the building caught fire again.聽It was built in 1896 and served as a Catholic church until the 1970s, when it was taken over by other, smaller congregations from other denominations, according to historic preservation nonprofit Missouri Preservation.
Photos: Demolition begins on fire-damaged St. Augustine Church