ST. LOUIS – 314 Day celebrations kicked off Sunday with a powerful message of unity and faith. The annual All-Faith Prayer March took place at the Gateway Arch, bringing together clergy, community leaders, and residents from all backgrounds to promote peace in St. Louis.

Hundreds gathered at the base of the iconic Arch to join in prayer, music, and reflection in a gesture of hope and togetherness. The event, a key part of the week leading up to 314 Day, celebrates the rich culture and resilience of St. Louis.

“Events like this are important because of the collective power of prayer, the strength and perseverance that we need to reach out and up to a higher power so that God can specifically look on the needs of the 314,” Pastor John Coar said.

Organizers said the march is about more than just faith; it’s about strengthening community bonds.

“It started out just with a culture and the community with two people, Tatum Pope and Tyrell Evans. Nineteen years later, it’s grown for everyone in St. Louis to celebrate,” Jamie Ballentine, a 314 Foundation board member, said. “We’re here to highlight all the great things that St. Louis has, and with that is really culture, community, arts, and people. And we know without the St. Louis community, we can’t do anything, but I know how far we can go with everyone involved.”

“It’s about community coming together and understanding that we are here to help our youth aspire for something more than just music,” Erica Polk, 314 Foundation member, said. “We are looking to have St. Louis pride and do what’s best for the city, so we can all grow and flourish together as one.”

This year’s event saw a large turnout, as attendees marched around the Arch, inspired to be part of something greater than themselves.

“We have seen what we can do and the power, when it comes. When come together as a city, what we have seen over the past couple of years is a lot of growth,” Terrell ‘Young Dip’ Evans, co-founder of the 314 Foundation, said. “There are not a lot of days where it’s been a week with no violence or anything, that’s a blessing. So, unity and inspiring the youth.”

“We just looked at it as an opportunity to have some civic pride, really dive into helping our future, see our youth and our future see how great this city is—a melting pot of creative people—and see it brought to light,” Tatum Polk, co-founder of the 314 Foundation, said.

As 314 Day approaches, celebrations will continue throughout the city featuring local businesses, artists, and community initiatives that highlight the spirit of St. Louis.