In the fall of 2024,​ a new charitable organization was established in south city St. Louis, under the auspices of St. Francis de Sales Oratory.

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The organization did not rise in a vacuum. Its launch follows in tandem with the renaissance of the neighborhood of Fox Park, whose anchor landmark remains the Oratory, known as "The Cathedral of South City." 

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A study by Partners for Sacred Places found that since 2007 St. Francis de Sales Oratory has been a catalyst for economic impact on the neighborhood, including direct spending, education, open space, magnet effect, individual impact, and invisible safety net.  

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The purpose of this nonprofit is to add cultural enrichment to this economic impact led by the Oratory by teaching classical music to children, creating first-encounters with world-class artists and ensembles for young audiences, and supporting the efforts of STL-area initiatives in music education, art, and classical architecture. 

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In the tradition of St. Philip Neri's "oratorios" (the musical delivery of biblical epics for public consumption in 16th-century Rome later maturated into the baroque and classical genre popularized by J.S. Bach's Christmas and Easter Oratorios, Handel's Messiah, and Mendelssohn's Elijah and St. Paul), the organization serves as a public-facing extension to the rich liturgical life of the Oratory, of which music is a pillar, and provides transformative experiences for students and audiences.    

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Oratorio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a board of directors and supported by music lesson tuition and private donations. By learning an instrument, attending a concert, or simply making a donation, you can be a part of the renaissance in south city, making a lasting difference in the neighborhood, its business owners, and its visitors. ​

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Since its pilot period began in 2021, Oratorio has reached more than 1,000 new audience members a year through its concerts. Oratorio has provided first-encounters for St. Louisans of all walks of life with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Notre Dame Cathedral organist Oliver Latry, St. Patrick's Cathedral NYC organist Michael Hey, Hungarian organist Sandor Balatoni, Belleville Brass, the Kingsbury Ensemble, and Floriani.   

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