Faculty Sponsor
Rob Wilson
Final Abstract for URS Program
The Jefferson Barracks Military Post had a rich and extensive history during its 120 years as an active military installation. The Post Theater was just one aspect of everyday life at Jefferson Barracks. This project is part of a collection of historic research blogs about Jefferson Barracks done in collaboration with St. Louis County Parks. The blogs will soon be available to view on the Jefferson Barracks County Park website.
The story of the Jefferson Barracks Post Theater begins with the Old Post Theater, which was built during World War I. From 1933 to 1944, four more post theaters were built at Jefferson Barracks. They showed the latest Hollywood movies in addition to instructional military films. Soldiers and their families living at Jefferson Barracks often invited guests over for dinner and a show at the Post Theater. Numerous events and celebrations were held at the Post Theater over the years. The Post Theater ceased operations after Jefferson Barracks was decommissioned in 1946. A few years later, the Archdiocese of St. Louis purchased the Post Theater and converted it into a church for the parish of St. Bernadette. The Post Theater building remained in continual use for over 70 years, until St. Mark Catholic Church absorbed St. Bernadette in August of 2023. Currently the former Post Theater building is used once a week for mass, but its future remains uncertain.
Presentation Type
Visual Presentation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
April 2023
Included in
Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons, Military History Commons, Theatre History Commons