Prior to today, the lot next to the burnt-out church was quite treacherous, with stray wires, irregular dips in terrain, and rocks of different sizes scattered about. For the opening of CHORUS, Grand Center offered to give the lot a makeover to make it safe for pedestrians. Yesterday, a crew began leveling the ground. Today, a sidewalk was uncovered, and sod was put into place. What looks to have been a basement was filled with white stones, which were pressed into the ground. We’re not sure yet what used to be next to the church, but the rumor is that it was a house. As of now, this side of the church has the romantic feel of Grecian ruins plus sod.
The lot next to the church was indeed a residence. It was in fact three seperate townhouses built by the architect Theodore C. Link for his family. Built in 1905 or 06 Link lived at 628 S. Spring while his sons occupied the other two units. Two of the townhouses faced Spring while the other faced Grandel. After his death in 1923, his widow continued to live there.
Theodore Link produced a hugh volume of high quality architecture including: St. Louis Union Station, Second Presbyterian Church, Wednesday Club, St. John’s Methodist Church, Barnes Hospital-Washington University School of Medicine, Mississippi State Capital, Louisiana State University.