Zach Bryan Just Bought This MA Building To Honor Historic Author

LOWELL, MA — Lowell is the home of perhaps the most famous author of the beat generation, Jack Kerouac. Now, a world-famous singer-songwriter from Oklahoma has taken a huge step in making sure the city is able to preserve his legacy.

It was announced this week that Zach Bryan has purchased the former Saint Jean Baptiste Church building in Lowell, ensuring its transformation into the previously announced Jack Kerouac Center. The project was initially announced in November 2022, but stalled amid the COVID-19 pandemic and funding issues, officials said.

The collaboration between Bryan and the Jack Kerouac Estate "marks a significant step toward honoring the legacy of one of America’s most iconic writers while fostering creativity in the heart of Kerouac’s hometown," they added.

The former church, a beloved Lowell landmark where Kerouac served as an altar boy and mourners gathered for his 1969 funeral mass, will be converted into a "vibrant cultural hub" where two creative forces meet.

Bryan’s involvement marks a turning point, officials said, bringing essential funding and renewed energy. The Center will feature exhibits, live music, public readings and community events.

“We’ve been working on this deal with Zach and his team for several months,” said Sylvia Cunha, who leads Marketing and Business Development for the Jack Kerouac Estate.

Cunha continued:

“Zach reached out in October, and right from the start, it was clear he shared our passion for honoring Jack’s legacy while also creating a dynamic, creative space. He stepped up and delivered in a big way, showing incredible generosity. Our immediate focus is to bring the building up to code so we can start using the space for music and other events while forming new partnerships to help us bring this vision to life and ensure its lasting success.”

By repurposing the 20,439 square foot building into a space that fosters creative exploration, Bryan pays tribute to Jack Kerouac’s spirit while carrying forward a legacy they both embody.

Once a place of worship, the church will become a sanctuary for creativity — an open environment where diverse artists, thinkers, and performers can experiment, push boundaries, and share their visions with the world.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Zach Bryan and his team to honor Jack Kerouac in such a meaningful way,” said Jim Sampas, the Literary Executor of the Jack Kerouac Estate. “The Jack Kerouac Center will stand as a lasting symbol of inspiration, forever linking Jack and Zach. [Bryan’s Investment] is a significant addition to the cultural fabric of Lowell and beyond, drawing visitors from all over the world.”

Local community leader and founder of Acre Action Neighborhood, Dave Ouellette, brought this project to the attention of the Jack Kerouac Estate several years ago. He has devoted countless hours to preserving Saint Jean Baptiste alongside Brian McGowan from TMI Properties.

"This is a game-changer for our community," Ouellette said. "Lowell has long been a place where innovation thrives, and the Jack Kerouac Center will provide a vital platform to inspire us at a pivotal moment in history, while also serving future generations. It’s exciting to know that we will have a space that honors not only Jack but the character of this city."

Built in 1890, Saint Jean Baptiste was the center of the burgeoning French-Canadian community in Lowell well into the 20th century.

Bryan purchased the former church from McGowan and TMI Property Management and Development — who previously bought the building and property from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2006.