ST. LOUIS- One of St. Louis’ most historic churches needs costly repairs to continue serving its congregation. The Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church has stood on Washington Avenue for 122 years. In that time, it has hosted unhoused St. Louisans, several speeches from Martin Luther King Jr. and community outreach events. Now, it needs extensive repairs for roof and water damage. 

“We are working to raise $500,000 to replace the roof and address damages to the upper sanctuary of the church,” said Pastor Donnie Robinson. “Our numbers are growing but not fast enough to out-pace the water damage being done to the church.”

Church leaders say they’ve exhausted their options. As snowy weather approaches, the congregation is asking for help from a community they’ve long served. Officials say the historically Black church, known as the ‘Friendly Church,’ has conducted food drives, run food pantries and provided scholarships to college-bound students nationwide. 

“It has been a gathering place for Boy Scout Troops, Health Fairs, Gang Summits, organizing rides to the polls, and Black history programs,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “For 122 years, this great church has celebrated a rich legacy of inspiring leadership and service to the community.”

An uncapped spout on the roof has caused years of water damage in the church’s sanctuary. Church Board member Linda Nance says she grew up at the Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, and there’s limited time to fix it before the sanctuary closes. 

“It pulls at my heart every time I look at it,” Nance said. “We’re trying to find a way to remedy that, but the reality is… our congregation numbers are very small. We have not returned to our congregation status before COVID and our financial status is not so that we could get a loan.”

Church officials say the roof alone will cost $180,000 to replace, and the tarp covering the worst of it is failing. The Gothic-Victorian building was made from rusticated limestone blocks in the late 1800s which means repairs must be done by specially-trained craftsmen, Nance said. 

“This is a historic church that needs to be saved, not just wants to be saved but it needs to be,” Nance said. “Part of me says when people find out all the stuff we used to do and would like to return to doing — maybe that’ll help our numbers as well.”