4522 Club

The "4522 Club'' occupies a beautiful three-story, red-brick Victorian home near the corner of Lindell Boulevard and Taylor Avenue in the Central West End district of St. Louis. Its Mission Statement is "To provide a safe, sober, and comfortable setting for members and guests to meet and socialize and to extend the welcoming hand of recovery to all who seek it." Article two of The Club's 1960 Amendment to the Charter states, "The general purposes and objects of the corporation shall be to provide education, spiritual help and training, the opportunity for the practice of group therapy and other such other assistance as may be lawfully provided for those in St. Louis, St. Louis County and adjoining counties who suffer from alcoholism or uncontrolled drinking." In simpler terms, The Club hosts a variety of Twelve Step groups and meetings. The original 1950 Charter included "social activity" in its purposes, which continues to be a focus.

The building at 4522 Lindell was originally the home of Isaac Schwab, a successful clothier and prominent member of the Jewish community in St. Louis. Most meetings at The Club are held in his bedroom. Built in 1894, the architect was William Levy who has several architectural examples on the historic register. Isaac's neighbor to the east was William Nolker, a beer baron who married into the Griesedieck family. That home was purchased by Julius Walsh, railroad and streetcar mogul, and is now the residence of the Archbishop of St. Louis. A side note: Julius' wife, Clara, is credited with the creation of the "cocktail party" by numerous sources. After Isaac, the home on Lindell remained a residence until 1947 when it was purchased by St. Louis University for purposes unknown. The soon-to-be Lindell Club acquired the building in 1950.

What is now the "4522 Club", d.b.a. The Lindell Club was incorporated February 27, 1950 through the efforts of Hugo Schumaker, William J. Brown, Fred A. Johnson, and Dickson Terry. Hugo, a salesman from Webster Groves, is recognized in an honorary certificate that hangs in the dining room. The original name of the organization was the "Al-Anon Club of St. Louis," not to be confused with Al-Anon Family Groups that came later. The name was quickly changed to "4522 Club" to ensure better anonymity for its members.

Contrary to belief, The Club was never a men's club. Women were permitted to be members from the beginning, though spouses of members could only attend at certain times. Membership cards were to be carried at all times, relapse was grounds for suspension of membership, and recruitment was expected if not obligatory. There were official rules governing card playing and gambling, though discretion was always practiced. Poker and Gin games on the third floor were often played for money, gaining The Club a somewhat ignominious reputation.

In 1960, the Charter was amended and The Club obtained federal 501(c)3 status. It was during the early 1960's that a salaried manager was hired to run the daily affairs of The Club and to supervise a paid staff to man a new short-order kitchen. There have been Seven permanent managers in seventy plus years serving The Lindell Club's members and guests, Hugh Donnelly, Ed Corby, Elaine Kueker, Rita Hiscocks, Darron Burks, Patrick Brennan, and Brian Farris.

The Lindell Club has been at the center for the recovery community of St. Louis for over seventy years. Right behind the York Street Club in Denver, it is the oldest clubhouse of its kind in the country in scope and structure. The Club has no affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous or any outside entity. It is solely supported by its members, meeting rents, counter sales, fundraisers, and donations. The Lindell Club will no doubt carry on for future generations, being built on a firm foundation of commitment to recovery and spiritual principles.