Resident Spotlight: John Shields

John Shields, a Baltimore, MD transplant from South Bend, Indiana since January 1992, became a St. Paul at Chase resident and owner after an inheritance enabled him to purchase a unit here. Previously, John resided on 3100 St. Paul Street and admired our building for a long time. One major attraction for John was our building’s central location—a short walk away from cultural institutions, including the Walters Art Museum, where he worked as a manager of docent programs for twenty-five years, until his retirement three years ago.

Today, John loves his home as much as when he first purchased it, including his northwest-facing view over Baltimore’s Penn Station. While the ‘Male/Female’ statue isn’t his favorite, John loves the illumination it provides. “Anything that lights up, adds to the view,” John insists. Besides his ‘illuminated’ view, John appreciates St. Paul at Chase’s location just 3 ½ blocks from Penn Station; and from there, a quick train ride to cities like Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Also, our building’s easy access to local bus routes is another draw.

After initially starting as a volunteer, John currently works as Docent Coordinator at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). John enjoys supporting AVAM’s dedicated docents and participating in the local art world. What John appreciates most about AVAM is the embracing atmosphere he finds there. At AVAM, John explains, “everyone feels welcome…people of all backgrounds, and abilities. AVAM tries to nourish the visionary spirit in all of its visitors.” John also serves on the board of the Baltimore Concert Opera, which performs four times a year at the Engineers Club in West Mt. Vernon Place, in addition to its three “Thirsty Thursday” recitals. He is also a supporter of the Maryland Opera.

John’s other main passion? Walking and caring for friends’ and neighbors’ dogs. While never having had a dog of his own, John started caring for a good friend’s three dogs years ago, fell in love with them instantaneously, and has been walking and caring for friends’ and neighbors’ dogs ever since. Given his passion, this is another thing that appeals to John about St. Paul at Chase. “I enjoy living in a pet friendly building and I watch two tenants’ dogs,” John elaborates. “I find the people very friendly, very interesting, as well as their dogs.”

Generally, what John loves most about living at St. Paul at Chase is the friendly, nurturing atmosphere it cultivates. “I enjoy bumping into so many nice, friendly people here. Also, as a household of one I’ve been blessed to get to know many people living on their own, and we are all very supportive and friendly. A lot of people here feel invested in the building, and are very eager to help and support one another.”