Last month, we asked you which historical markers in Louisville deserve the spotlight — and today, we’re taking a closer look at a reader-submitted marker.
St. Matthew Church on East St. Catherine Street is over 100 years old, but it hasn’t always been a church. In 1998, the building was gifted to a local organization: The House of Ruth.
House of Ruth began in 1992, founded by eight friends + members of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to care for women and children with HIV + AIDS who are experiencing homelessness. St. Matthew Church met the organization’s growing need for office space, allowing it to expand its reach and serve even more Louisvillians.
Today, House of Ruth owns 17 housing units and collaborates with the Metro Government to operate 25 more. Historical Marker 2519 commemorates the organization and the building where it was headquartered. House of Ruth has since moved, but it’s very much a part of modern Louisville. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Make a one-time or annual donation
- Link your Kroger Plus card to House of Ruth — use the code FC440
- Volunteer on Fridays, 12:30-4 p.m., to sort + bag donations in the food pantry
- Apply to join the board of directors
