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The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson told KTVI that the building was being used as an arts center and workers may have had an issue with some chemicals.

The building at 1222 Allen Avenue had once been home in the early 1900s to St. Paul’s-Friedens Evangelical Church, according to the . It has housed several churches over the years.

A retired teacher who came to take photos of the church on Wednesday morning, Barbara Seaton, said she belonged to the church for 40 years when it was called Church of God. She said she met two husbands there. The first marriage didn't work out but the second marriage is still going strong, she said.

“Memories,� Seaton said.

City property records show the building is owned by Soulard Properties Group.

Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department said the building was about three stories tall and heavy smoke and fire were coming from the steeple late Tuesday when crews arrived.

Firefighters safely worked outside of the church’s “collapse zone� and poured water on the fire using aerial apparatus, Mosby said. 

No firefighters were injured.

Kim Bell of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.