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A
dvancing
T
he
K
ingdom
: K
ingdom
H
ouse
we, too, may learn more of the history of
these first Americans, and that we may in
some small way help to preserve the culture
and customs of our new neighbors. Some 13
different tribes were represented at the first
meeting, and we hope that they will feel that
Kingdom House is a meeting place where
they may discuss their problems, perhaps
find some answers, and at least have a
meeting place in an environment that is in
keeping with their beliefs and hopes for the
future. Welcome to our midst!
24
Reflecting this optimism and
openness, the
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
featured a story on the settlement in
October, 1957:
Kingdom House is its sixth name and
1102 Morrison its sixth location, but the air
of the 55-year-old United Fund agency is
unchanged.
The shouts and laughter of 35 children
in the day nursery program at Kingdom
House are exemplary of the happiness this
settlement institution brings to persons of all
ages, colors and religions.
From 6:30 a.m. until closing time at
night, children and adults from low income
families in the surrounding area come to
enjoy recreation,
crafts and constructive
projects with their
friends. Kingdom
House provides a place
for people to gather
and share their special
interests, and in so
doing develop their
own personalities and
potential capabilities.
FOUNDED IN 1902
The agency was
founded as a Sunday
School Mission in
1902. Its aim to
meet the needs of
the neighborhood
has remained and is
reflected in its ever
changing program.
The neighborhood
has transformed from
a run-down tenement
area into the highly
populated Darst
Housing Project.
The settlement was a
charter member of the
original community
fund which later
became the Community
Chest and is now the
United Fund.
Kingdom House operates a full-time
nursery for pre-schoolers, with a relative
summer daycare program for this age group
as well as older children who need a ‘home
away from home.’ Elementary children arrive
after school to fill their days with activity at
the settlement and evenings are reserved for
the teenagers.
One of the agency’s adult activities
is the ‘Friendly Folks,’ an adult women’s
club noted in the area for its service to the
68
A
B
C
P
hotos
:
A:
Waiting to slide
B/C:
After school activities
K
ingdom
H
ouse
operates
a
full
-
time nursery
for
pre
-
schoolers
,
with
a
relative
summer
daycare
program
for
this
age
group
as well
as older
children who
need
a
‘
home
away
from home
.’