Sk8 Liborius Church

A historic St. Louis church-turned-skatepark caught on fire in June, leaving just a shell of a building and charred rubble. Skateboarders like Avian Duke no longer have a physical home, but he said the heart of the skating community remains.

A four-alarm fire destroyed much of the building that housed Sk8 Liborius, a skate park and gathering place for young people in north St. Louis. The organization’s leaders are just beginning to sort out plans for the future.

SK8 Liborius is an abandoned Catholic church turned skater haven. Now it’s launching a fundraiser to start a youth workforce development and arts program to help the teens who come to skate.