Lewis Place in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Welcome to the Hopewell Rain Gardens
How Rainscaping Supports the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
Under the leadership of Dr. Donald Ray McNeal, Senior Pastor, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was awarded a $787,000 MSD Project Clear grant from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to manage stormwater runoff from the church grounds and the nearby street. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church's rain gardens were designed collaboratively with church leaders and congregants to beautify the landscape, inspire community pride, and encourage community gathering. This project also represents the commitment by our historic community to be leaders in the growing movement to invest in a more sustainable future.
Rainscaping is any combination of plantings, rain barrels, catch basins, permeable pavement, and other features that manage stormwater where it falls. It reclaims stormwater naturally, reduces sewer overflows, and minimizes basement backups. It is embraced for its powerful community and environmental benefits. Our five rain gardens were designed to deliver the community benefits prioritized by our community (see right panel).
About Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
"Hopewell's history began on the 4th Sunday of June, 1927 and we are still evolving for Christ."
- Dr. Donald Ray McNeal, SeniorPastor, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
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Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church is among the largest Baptist faith communities in St. Louis. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church's commitment to the rainscaping improvements is part of Senior Pastor Dr. Donald Ray McNeal's broader mission to foster healing and reconciliation within our vibrant congregation.
Erected by Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; Greenprint Partners; Project Clear Rainscaping Grants.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is June 26, 1927.
Location. 38° 39.112′ N, 90° 15.13′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Lewis Place. It is at the intersection of North Taylor Avenue and Hodiamont Tracks, on the left when traveling south on North Taylor Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4486 W Belle Pl, Saint Louis MO 63108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 4446 Westminster Place (approx. 0.4 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Gaslight Square (approx. half a mile away); Cathedral Chapel (approx. 0.6 miles away);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2023
2. Welcome to the Hopewell Rain Gardens Marker
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
While most interpretive signs about Rainscaping and Rain Gardens are not historical markers, this one shares enough of a narrative to serve in that capacity.
— Submitted April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
