Country music artist Zach Bryan has purchased a historic former church building in Lowell, Massachusetts. The acquisition revives plans for a center dedicated to the legacy of author Jack Kerouac. Bryan bought the property on May 8, 2025, with the aim of creating a "vibrant cultural hub," according to the Jack Kerouac Estate.
The building is the former Saint Jean Baptiste Church. Kerouac, who was born in Lowell, served as an altar boy at the church. His funeral Mass was held there in 1969.
The planned Jack Kerouac Center is expected to feature exhibits, live music performances, public readings, and other community events within the 20,439-square-foot space.
Bryan, known for hits like "Burn, Burn, Burn," which he stated was inspired by Kerouac's novel "On The Road," reached out to the Kerouac estate in October. He contacted them after learning the previous developer owner was preparing to sell the property.
Earlier plans for the center, initially announced in 2022, had stalled. The Jack Kerouac Foundation was formed in early 2022 with the mission of establishing a museum and facility honoring the author. The previous project faced delays due to funding and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work is now focused on bringing the building up to code before events can begin. The church structure dates back to 1890, originally serving the French-Canadian community in Lowell. TMI Property Management and Development had owned the property since purchasing it from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2006 before the recent sale to Bryan.
More details about the center's development are expected to be announced in the coming months. Lowell hosts an annual festival celebrating Kerouac each fall, scheduled this year from October 9 to October 13.
Bryan is a Grammy-winner, receiving the 2023 award for Best Country Solo Performance. He was also nominated for Best Country Album in 2024 and was named Billboard's Top New Artist last year. He sold out Gillette Stadium during his tour.
"The Jack Kerouac Center will stand as a lasting symbol of inspiration, forever linking Jack and Zach," Jim Sampras, literary executor of the Kerouac estate, stated. "\Bryan's Investment\ is a significant addition to the cultural fabric of Lowell and beyond, drawing visitors from all over the world."
