Historic Florissant Is Consultant for Restoring The ‘Landmark in Peril’

The Ouvre-Bellisime house that sits at 359 St. Jean, in Florissant, has fallen into grave disrepair. What was once a beautiful example of the first French brick structure in the St. Ferdinand Township, is now a sad and tired historic house overgrown with brush and weeds.
But help is on the way for this “Landmark in Peril” with new owners dedicated to restoring the property and adding flowering plants and foliage after removing the debris. Derrick Mosely, a local property investor, has purchased the home and intends to restore it to its original glory.
Currently, interior work includes removing old wallpaper, carpeting and outdated fixtures, then, refinishing the floors and using appropriate colors to paint walls and trim. Exterior areas causing water damage to the chimney and plaster are scheduled for repair, as well as tuck-pointing and a final coat of fresh paint.
The property was first owned by a Revolutionary War hero, Alexander Bellissime. Alexander was a French soldier who came over with Lafayette to fight the English in the War of Independence. According to family legend, he saved Lafayette’s life three times.
The chain of title for this circa 1830 house reads like a Who’s Who of Florissant. Bellissime sold the property to a prominent Florissant settler, Louis Ouvre, who settled in Florissant in 1791 and was a trustee of St. Ferdinand Church.
From Ouvre, the home transferred to families such as Belleville, Tison, Steudeman, Desilet, Castello, James, Bullard, Baillet, Heur, Tegethoff, and more. Many of these families contributed to the formation of the township of Florissant by owning businesses, holding public office, or through active participation in the church.
For a number of years the Ouvre-Bellisime house has actually been listed as a “Landmark in Peril.”
Mosely has invited Historic Florissant, Inc. to contribute to the restoration on a consultant basis. He appreciates the historic aspect of the Ouvre-Bellisime house and aims to restore the building in a manner fitting for National Landmark status. “We are excited he has chosen to take on this sensational endeavor,” said Gina Siebe, president of Historic Florissant Inc., which provided information to The Independent News for this story.

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