Help Sk8 Liborius Rise From The Ashes

We are Sk8 Liborius and Liborius Urban Arts Studios (LUAS), a one-of-a-kind skate park housed within a previously abandoned, 19th-century Gothic Cathedral in north St. Louis, MO. We had been in the process of conserving and rebuilding for over a decade. Today it sits in rubble. Unfortunately, on the night of Wednesday 28th June, a four-alarm fire tore through our cherished skate park and community center, leaving our beloved venue in desperate need of help. We are devastated.

Last year, we released a fundraising campaign called “Long Live Liborius” along with our goal of bringing the church up to code and making it ADA-compliant to safely open it to the public. Because of this we were not able to insure the church as we were yet to achieve our fundraising target. We were so close to realizing our goal of giving access to the only indoor skatelite vert ramp in the Midwest and art from across the world to everyone. Pros like Steve Berra, Christian Hsoi, and Steve Caballero, Lil' Wayne all stood in awe of what we built together.

The church may be gone but our community still stands.

The fire caused terrible damage to the historic church building and rectory. We have cleaned up some of the damage with the help of our community of volunteers, our immediate priority is to support those in our community affected by the fire and stabilise the building in hopes of a rebuild. So much is still unknown and the road ahead is long, we are unsure as to just how much of the church building can remain. In true DIY spirit we’re seeking a way to keep this project alive, we hope to keep and preserve as much as possible but the future is unknown. We are in consultation with professionals as to the best way forward.

Sk8 Liborius and LUAS have been instrumental in enriching the lives of countless people who walked through our doors for over a decade. We foster a positive environment for self-expression, artistic exploration, and athletic development. We were invested in teaching skills to kids and young people in underserved communities and helping them succeed in life. So many individuals from around the world have found solace and inspiration within our walls. We have successfully used skating, skateboarding, street art and movement as a medium for personal growth and empowerment for people of all ages. Our center had become a beacon of hope, a safe haven for creativity and camaraderie. We had big plans and this tragedy won't stop us.

Our hearts are heavy for all that is lost but we are committed to not giving up! However, the cost of resurrecting Sk8 Liborius and LUAS to its former or new glory exceeds our current means.

Whilst a million dollars might seem like a far-away target, every dollar along the way gets us closer. We believe in our mission, our community and our city. We do not want to become another ghost of North St. Louis.

Your support, whatever the amount, will directly impact the lives of those who have come to rely on the transformative power of our center. Together, we can rebuild Sk8 Liborius and LUAS into a new place that transcends architecture—a place that represents the triumph of community spirit, resilience, and creativity.

Thank you.

Long Live Liborius

Hyper Realistic Painting by Brian Depauli

Prints available on shop.sk8liborius.com