North Central City

Centennial Christian Church

4950 Fountain Avenue

Open to public / Not Open to public

Not open to public - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Centennial Christian Church was established in 1904 and is situated at 4950 Fountain Avenue in the Fountain Park neighborhood of St. Louis. The church building, originally constructed in 1895 as the Fountain Park Congregational Church, was designed by the architectural firm Grable, Weber & Groves in the Romanesque Revival style. The Congregationalists, a predominantly white Protestant denomination with roots in New England, were the first to use the building. The Fountain Park Congregational Church was established to serve the growing middle-class white population in that part of St. Louis during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As neighborhood demographics shifted—particularly with the Great Migration, which brought many African Americans to north St. Louis—the original congregation eventually moved, and the building later became home to other congregations, including the First Christian Church and what is now Centennial Christian Church, a historically Black Disciples of Christ congregation.

This shift mirrors broader patterns in St. Louis and other American cities where urban churches changed hands as neighborhoods evolved racially and socioeconomically.

Throughout its history, Centennial Christian Church has been deeply involved in community outreach and social justice initiatives. The congregation has hosted various events, including observances of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and has been a central figure in the Fountain Park community.

In May 2025, the church building suffered extensive damage due to a tornado that struck the area. Despite the destruction, the church leadership, under the guidance of Rev. Dietra Wise Baker, announced plans to rebuild. The vision for the new campus includes a multipurpose worship and gathering space, affordable housing units, a community health clinic, commercial and co-working spaces for local entrepreneurs, and green spaces.

Centennial Christian Church remains a testament to resilience and commitment to community service, continuing its mission to transform lives and support the Fountain Park neighborhood.

SOURCE: The historical information presented on this page is adapted with permission from Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites by Dr. John A. Wright, Sr. We are honored to share his invaluable research and historical insights, made available through the generous consent of Dr. Wright and the Missouri Historical Society Press. Their dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Black St. Louis is a gift to our community—a testament to those who came before us and a guide for those who walk the path forward.