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![Steve Smith and Monica R. Butler pose in front of Second Baptist Church near Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis. They plan to convert it into a national center for the celebration and study of gospel music. [8/13/21]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f5cc8d4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4078x2272+0+400/resize/280x156!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F6c%2F3b4a17da43ae84105a49856d4fbe%2Fmonica-steve-exterior-3.jpg)
Gospel music is a pillar of St. Louis culture — just like the blues and rock. This weekend, the Missouri Historical Society celebrates the art form. Film producer Monica R. Butler, founder of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, said it's time to honor the region's gospel greats. -
Monica Butler says gospel music history is being lost. To salvage it, she wants to convert a historic Central West End church into a gospel music hall of fame.
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St. Louis Firefighters responded to a fire Tuesday that engulfed part of a historic church in the Central West End. Developers plan to use the building for a gospel music museum and educational center.
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The $22 million project would include a movie theater, professional soundstage and space for private events.
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![Steve Smith and Monica R. Butler pose in front of Second Baptist Church near Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis. They plan to convert it into a national center for the celebration and study of gospel music. [8/13/21]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/decb4e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4078x2272+0+400/resize/560x312!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F6c%2F3b4a17da43ae84105a49856d4fbe%2Fmonica-steve-exterior-3.jpg)