Outside of DuBourg Hall, there is a blue sign that lists for visitors the main features of the building: undergraduate admissions, department of public safety, administration and the Pere Marquette Gallery. Most people walk by and wonder, “Pere Marquette Gallery-what’s that?” What it is, is the number-one place you haven’t been on campus. The gallery is one of the most architecturally and visually rich places on Saint Louis University’s campus, but it is not well-known at all.
The Pere Marquette Gallery served as the primary library for the University from the time DuBourg hall was built at the turn of the 20th century until the 1950s. When Pius XII Memorial Library opened in 1958, the University moved the library’s resources from DuBourg to its new building. While Pius was gaining attention for its space and modern conveniences, the old library was quickly forgotten and turned into office space for various areas of the University.
The old library’s first, second, third and fourth floors were converted to house the departments of education and psychology and the center for urban studies. The beauty of the space was lost and covered up for years.
In 1994, University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., often called the architect of Saint Louis University, saw what the area could become and wanted to return the library back to its original grandeur.
Judging by its current state, you would never know the space was once just mundane offices. Despite the different uses over time, the pillars, iron work and spiral stair cases are all original and fully restored. The Pere Marquette Gallery has returned to its former architectural glory, and now houses some of the University’s most prized pieces of art.
The stained glass was specially designed for the room. The theme for the north window is the divine Word and human discourse. The windows on the first level show a scribe, a monk illuminating his text, the printing press and, in the last window, the computer.
On the second level, various saints and their contributions are depicted. The east columns of the stained- glass windows depict all of the Jesuit universities’ insignias. At the west, top of the ceiling, the rose window shows the Saint Louis University fleur-de-lis insignia.
While you won’t be able to go into the room without a Department of Public Safety escort, it is well worth the trip to enter this remarkable area that is hidden inside DuBourg hall.