A Look Back at the Jubilee World Performing Arts Center

Feb 09, 2017

In 2015, Jubilee World acquired the former St. Mary's Orphanage building at 5341 Emerson Ave. in St. Louis. The 164,000 square feet facility has since been getting a major facelift with constant renovations. The main chapel, offices, dormitories and bathrooms have all been since remodeled. Jubilee plans to finish the entire facility in 2 years to open up to the community once again.

Construction began in the summer of 1899 and was dedicated on November of 1900 having 225 girls and 13 sisters in residence. This facility has been a community landmark and staple for over 100 years.

Constructed to be completely self-sufficient, the facility featured a large olympic sized swimming pool, main chapel, cafeteria, 2 large gyms, boiler house, offices, baking oven, laundry plant, institutional kitchen and cold storage rooms for the over 200 residence. It also had classrooms, dormitories, playrooms, work rooms, vegetable gardens and chicken coops.

The facility and main chapel once again came to life with Jubilee's 15th Anniversary Conference, concert and events for the community. The facility had not been utilized or in top working order for decades.

The new Jubilee leadership and community leaders have a vision of rebuilding the campus to it's former glory serving the neighborhood residence once again. Previous renovations were made and leadership plans to build on the foundation.