How can historic sacred places support civic engagement, social cohesion, and neighborhood equity?

Philadelphia has hundreds of active congregations acting as stewards of underutilized sacred spaces. Whether it’s an empty sanctuary, a sparsely-used meeting hall, or a mothballed Sunday School wing, these spaces offer real opportunities for the performing arts, for human service programs, for community events, and for the incubation of new programs and initiatives that build social capital and make neighborhoods stronger.

The Community Design Collaborative and Partners for Sacred Places asked the design community to share best practices in repositioning purpose-built sacred places as community hubs. These projects – built, in-progress, or yet-to-be-built – begin to demonstrate that underutilized space in historic sacred properties can be activated in ways that expand the civic commons, serve a larger secular purpose, and strengthen communities.

We hope they inspire you!

The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2017

Historic sacred places have long served as anchors in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. They stand out as beacons for their distinctive architecture, large gathering spaces, cultural significance, and charitable works.

In 2017, The Pew Charitable Trusts released Philadelphia’s Historic Sacred Places: Their past, present, and future. The findings indicate that currently, Philadelphia’s historic sacred places are being presented with both challenges and opportunities.

Various Locations | Research Study

Consultant Team:
Partners for Sacred Spaces | Study Host

A study conducted by Partners for Sacred Places calculates the "economic halo effect" of 90 randomly-selected congregations with older and historic buildings in Chicago, Fort Worth, and Philadelphia. Findings of the study report an average historic sacred place in an urban environment generates over $1.7 million annually in economic impact. Affirming previous research showing that congregations with older buildings provide a range of subsidies to support community-serving programs and activities. In fact, 87% of the beneficiaries of the community programs and events housed in sacred places are not members of the religious congregation contributing to the larger community.  The size and complexity of the sacred places halo effect provides powerful new evidence that America’s sacred places have enormous community value. Congregations employ, on average, 5 full-time and 6 part-time staff, and purchase goods and services from a network of local small businesses and individual vendors, sustaining an important community economic ecosystem. Partners for Sacred Places has extensive knowledge and staff to train communities on how to best take advantage of their sacred place’s halo effect offering Halo assessments, consulting services centered around fundraising, space sharing, building maintenance, and community outreach.

Photo credit: Partners for Sacred Spaces

Partners for Sacred Places, a lead partner in the Sacred Places/Civic Spaces initiative, selected two representative examples of congregations here in Philadelphia that have activated their historic purpose-built religious buildings in ways that expand the civic commons, serve a larger secular purpose, and strengthen communities.

The two sites highlighted in this display are:

Trinity Center for Urban Life (2212 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA)
Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th Street, Philadelphia PA)

Partners for Sacred Places, a lead partner in the Sacred Places/Civic Spaces initiative, highlights two representative examples of congregations in nearby Pittsburgh that have re-envisioned their underutilized, purpose-built religious properties as community hubs that build social capital and make neighborhoods stronger.

The two sites highlighted in this display are:

Union Project (801 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh PA)
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Community Activity Center (113 N. Pacific Ave., Pittsburgh PA)

Philadelphia, PA | 2016 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Larsen + Landis | Structural Engineer
J+M Engineering | Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Engineer
Continuum Architecture and Design | Architect

Formerly St. John's Memorial Baptist Church, this 1860s era Spiritualist Church was converted and now serves as modern bi-level engineering offices.

Photo credit: Joe Matje

Philadelphia PA | 2017 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC. | Design and Planning

At the outset of the new millennia, Arch Street Presbyterian Church entered into development discussions with the Comcast Corporation about Comcast’s desire to create a new tower immediately to the east of the church. These discussions led to a development project in which Comcast converted the church’s service access entrance on Cuthbert Street into a pedestrian walkway.  As time passed and the second Comcast Tower was constructed, Arch Street Presbyterian’s 1855 building is now nestled between Comcast’s ‘town square’ and ‘winter garden’, presenting a significant opportunity for the church to reintroduce itself to a new population and re-engage with Philadelphia. With it’s historic entrance on Arch Street the Church would essentially have to be turned completely around to take full advantage of the new circumstances.  The change was masterfully accomplished by Mark B. Thompson Associates Constructing a new entrance with three welcoming doors on the Cuthbert Walkway leading into its sanctuary entrance and new community activity space. Now positioned on an active and sunlit entrance plaza, Arch Street Presbyterian Church has both retained its valued fabric and given new vitality to its fast-growing congregation.

Photo credit: Mark B.Thompson Associates LLC

Community Design Collaborative - Design Grant
Philadelphia, PA | 2017 | Conceptual

Consultant Team:
A K Architecture | Architects
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates | Engineers

Located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Beacon is a neighborhood faith community that offers both Sunday worship and a full slate of community programming. It’s 1872 building and property were underutilized making it difficult for the church to produce adequate operating income for maintenance and renovations. The Community Design Collaborative conducted an existing conditions assessment, providing models for “community hubs,” and illustrated several expansion options including zoning and building code implications. Through space-sharing, Beacon was able to fill gaps in community services now maintaining three after-school programs, an open art studio, and weekly worship.

Photo credit: Rebecca Blake

Bryn Mawr, PA | 2003 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects | Architecture
CMV | Structural Engineer
Levine & Company Inc. | Roofing Consultant

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is a 3500-member community church known for its preaching, teaching and music ministries. The interior sanctuary walls of the 1927 structure were originally lined with hollow acoustical tile, considered in the 1920s to be a state-of-the art interior surface material.  This coupled with the ceiling design of the sanctuary was not effective at sustaining the sound produced by the pipe organ and choir. After a carefully balanced combination of new ceiling and wall finishes as well as extensive acoustic, mechanical and aesthetic improvements, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian’s magnificent new sanctuary now compliments the congregation’s superb music program. This award winning structure, renovated by Mark B. Thompson Associates  has been featured in Faith & Form Magazine and greatly enhanced the churches activities, hosting musical vespers and educational forums in addition to its regular worship services.

Photo credit: Atkin Olshin Schade Architects

Philadelphia, PA | 2011 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Voith & MacTavish Architects LLP | Architecture
Keast & Hood | Structural Engineer
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates | Consulting Engineer

Built by the Christ Church parish, The Neighborhood House Project opened its doors in 1915 to serve the low-income residents of Old City. In the late 1990s, local artists created a demand for  unusual, flexible and affordable venues and The Neighborhood House program solidified around the idea to utilize it’s large open spaces. The Christ Church Preservation Trust completed a $10 million capital campaign in 2010, enabling a significant renovation of Neighborhood House by Voith & Mactavish Architects, including an elevator, HVAC system, and the transformation of the building’s fourth floor gymnasium, into a adaptable “brick-box” theater. In 2012, William Penn Foundation made a transformational three-year investment in the space by funding lighting, sound, and other essential equipment, as well salary and overhead support for professional program staff. Now in its sixth year, the Neighborhood House program (NHP), operating under the umbrella of the Trust, houses one of the busiest stages in Philadelphia and will present their first self-produced performances this year.

Photo credit: Voith & MacTavish Architects LLP

Philadelphia, PA | 2004 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Kelly/Maiello Architects | Architecture
Keast & Hood | Structural Engineer
Vinokur - Pace | Engineering Services
Pride Enterprises Inc. | Construction Manager
W.S. Cumby | Construction

The Church of the Advocate is a National Historic Landmark continuously serving its congregation for worship in addition to providing campus ministry to Temple University and a wide array of social services and arts programs to North Philadelphia residents. Kelly/Maiello Inc. developed the master plan and subsequent designs for the restoration and adaptive reuse of this Episcopal Church complex’s historic buildings, providing program space for a full range of Church and community functions.  The church sanctuary functions as a place of worship, as well as an art sanctuary, performance space for artists and writers and a meetings/events, space, while The Paul and Christine Washington Family and Community Center provides office space for community outreach programs, classrooms, and a gymnasium.

Photo credit: Barry Halkin Photography

Philadelphia PA | 2005 | Completed

BWA Architecture + Planning | Architecture
Martin J. Rosenblum AIA & Associates | Preservation

Congregation Rodeph Shalom is the last of Philadelphia’s great Broad Street synagogues. Completed in 1929, with the aging of the building and the evolving needs of the congregation in mind, BWA, a team of specialists and several Rodeph Shalom committees worked together to study the entire facility, assess the import of anticipated growth and change, define goals and priorities and, ultimately, reconceptualize how the complex will work. The resulting master plan set forth a strategy for phased implementation over several years.

Photo credit: BWA Architecture + Planning

Philadelphia, PA | 2015 | Completed

Consultant Team:
KieranTimberlake | Architecture
INTECH | Contractor
Studio Bryan Hanes | Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates | Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer

Founded in 1795, Rodeph Shalom is the oldest Ashkenazic congregation in the Western Hemisphere. Its current synagogue building, completed in 1928, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a limestone-clad exterior and a lavish interior. With a rapidly growing congregation, Rodeph Shalom needed additional program space to align with their vision for a welcoming and open place of prayer, study, and social action.  A renovation and addition by KieranTimberlake offered the congregation an opportunity to improve the historic building through connectivity and legibility by replacing the former asphalt and chain-link fence exterior with a landscape that is open and welcoming. The redesign features eighteen-foot translucent channel glass, bronze and mosaic tile detailing, a new landscape, naturally lit spaces, comprehensive stormwater management system and the reconfiguration of the parking lot and drop off area that complement the historic synagogue. The completed project has improved the perception of neighborhood safety encouraging neighbors to use the property as public space, reduced traffic congestion on the surrounding streets, decreased runoff from the site reducing the load on the municipal sewer system and renewed the congregants’ pride in their sacred space.

Photo credit: James Ewing Photography

Philadelphia, PA | 2013 | Completed

Consultant Team:
BWA Architecture + Planning | Architecture
Hunt Engineering Company | Structural & Civil Engineer
Re:Vision | LEED & Sustainability
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates | Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer

Connelly House was built where there once stood an underutilized older structure which housed a CYO and parish offices at the rear of the Gothic Revival St. John the Evangelist Church and rectory. Served only by narrow back streets, the area was often favored by the homeless who would use the site as a resting place and avail themselves to anything the church might provide.  Addressing the need, the church and archdiocese were open to repurposing nearly half of this property embracing the idea of a partnership Project HOME and the Bethesda Project. Together with BWA Architecture + Planning, The Connelly House maintains the important historic religious structures and strengthens the urban fabric providing housing for 79 formerly homeless and low-income residents, on-site support services, a community meeting space, and large parish center used for offices.  Sustainability was integral to the design process establishing Philadelphia’s first LEED Gold high-rise supportive housing facility. Connelly House features 24 single room occupancy units, 55 efficiency apartments, communal spaces for socializing and dining, supportive services, office and conference spaces, a computer lab, an exercise room, tenant storage, a laundry room, two lower terraces, and a roof terrace with a green roof. The Parish Center includes offices, conference space and a large, sub-dividable community room that can accommodate a variety of activities and events.

Photo credit: Don Pearse

Philadelphia PA | 2013 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Kelly/Maiello Architects | Architecture

Kelly/Maiello, along with Urban Planners developed a guide to enable religious congregations to evaluate the potential for long-term rental of surplus space to service organizations, cultural groups, professional firms and other compatible users, in order for them to increase revenue in the face of declining membership. Three case studies were completed.  The study for the historic Union Baptist Church at 1910 Fitzwater Street resulted in three potential uses. One was to use the lower level of the church for daycare/after-school programming, another to develop new residential units on lots owned by the church, and the last was to use the main sanctuary of the church as a performing arts venue.

Photo credit: Kelly/Maiello Architects

Chicago, IL | 2008 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Bailey Edward | Architecture

Built in 1924, First United Methodist Church (FUMC) is a community staple located on the main floor of a 24-story high-rise in downtown Chicago. The sanctuary required updates to accommodate the changing needs of the congregation and to increase community outreach while honoring its historic character. This sites renovation by Bailey Edward created a new design for the sanctuary’s central aisle incorporating ramps up onto the chancel for universal accessibility, mounting chancel furnishings on wheels for easy conversion to accommodate non-worship events, and a welcoming narthex at the rear of the sanctuary allowing the congregation to gather, socialize, and pass through the back without disturbing services. The redesign also provides functionality for twelve different ministry programs as well as the Chicago Humanities Festival. 35+ years since it’s last renovation First United Methodist gained classrooms, a large assembly space that can house 200 people, a new kitchen, bathrooms, audio-visual room and storage providing the Church with up-to-date and flexible environments that can host a variety of activities to support their mission, ministries and members.

Photo credit: Bailey Edward

Philadelphia, PA | 2017 | Conceptual

Consultant Team:
L.R. Aument LLC | Preservationist
Gilbane Building Company | Cost Estimator
Materials Conservation Co. | Preservationist
Duffield Associates, Inc. | Civil Engineer

Built between 1698 and 1700, Gloria Dei Church (Old Swedes' Church) is the oldest church in Pennsylvania and among the oldest in the nation. A nonprofit founded to preserve and renew the church property is re-imagining its open spaces to serve a broader audience. Community Design Collaborative volunteers involved community stakeholders in developing a master plan featuring an urban woodlands, improvements to the churchyard, and a new garden park that reconnects neighborhood residents to their riverfront. This lovely church, surrounded by historic buildings, spacious grounds, and ample parking has attracted new members to the congregation finding great joy in coming together for worship and various other events and gatherings.

Photo credit: Community Design Collaborative

Philadelphia PA | 2016 | Conceptual

Consultant Team:
Olaya Studio LLC | Architects
Owners Rep Inc. | Cost Estimator

First established in 1931, the Metropolitan Baptist Church has seen faith restored, spiritual growth and spiritual healing under new leadership. In 2006, the church developed and put forth an aggressive plan for renovating the church building. Strategic nips and tucks will enable this historic church to fulfill its goal of becoming a community hub with the help of the Community Design Collaborative. The Collaborative created a conceptual plan showing how the demolition of just a few walls can transform the fellowship hall into a great reception space and existing small classrooms into a computer lab and co-working space.  An improved entrance and accessible bathrooms allows the church to become a welcoming hub to everyone.

Photo credit: Community Design Collaborative

Philadelphia PA | 2019 | Under Construction

Consultant Team:
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects | Design & Planning
Sci-Tek Consultants Inc. | Civil Engineer
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates | Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer
Keast & Hood | Structural Engineer

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church grew out of the pastoral mission of Bishop Richard Allen in the 1780s and has been a center for the African Methodist Church and the African American community in Philadelphia since the late 18th century. The congregation’s current church building, was constructed in 1890 and is registered as a National Historic Landmark. It is the fourth church built on the site, which was first purchased in 1791 and is said to be the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans in the United States. Atkin Olshin Schade Architects has worked with the leaders of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church for over a decade initially providing a Historic Structure Report and long-term plan for restoration and expansion of their facilities. The project’s first phase, included an exterior restoration encompassing a complete roof replacement, reconstruction of portions of the steeple, and restoration of the extraordinary stained glass windows and future plans for the installation of a memorial park honoring Richard Allen. The congregation, private donors, and numerous grants, including a Save America’s Treasures Grant, funded this project enabling the site to have a positive impact on the surrounding community.

Photo credit: Tom Crane

Philadelphia PA | 2007 | Completed

Consultant Team:
BWA Architecture + Planning | Design & Planning
Stantec | Civil Engineer
Mark Ulrick Engineers Inc. | Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer
O’Donnell & Naccarato | Structural Engineer

The charismatic pastors of Mt. Tabor AME Church were able to realize a long-held dream of building senior housing on a sizeable vacant lot adjacent to the church. In a rapidly changing neighborhood, a large population of older adults were underserved with respect to support program to keep them active and for the most part self-sufficient, and increasingly at risk of being priced out of housing in their own neighborhood. Reverends Lang and Moore of Mt. Tabor in addition to a corps of committed volunteers pursued a vision for making their community better. The development began as a Community Design Collaborative service grant that gave Mt. Tabor the tools to pursue funding with a strong team of development consultants and, ultimately, to bring the project to fruition. The new four-story apartment building by BWA Architecture + Planning provides high-quality, affordable housing for low-income seniors as an integral part of a vision for a connected, diverse, and thriving community. Cyber Village features 56 rental apartments, containing 15 accessible units for tenants with physical disabilities, and five for those who have vision or hearing impairments. The new site also offers a host of amenities including a Cyber Cafe, community lounges, fitness center, laundry room, tranquil outdoor areas, and a multi-purpose/events spaces.

Photo credit: Don Pearse

Philadelphia PA | 2015 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Converse Winkler Architecture | Architects/ Master Planning, Design & Documentation, Construction Administration
Overbrook Presbyterian Church | Property Committee

Overbrook Presbyterian Church is an example of ongoing efforts by a church community to make better use of their facilities in support of the surrounding neighborhood.  The church’s current activities include the restoration and maintenance of their 1889 historic building. With a long established history of shared uses, beginning with a preschool established in 1965 a Conditions Assessment undertaken in the late 90’s, defined and prioritized building deficiencies and became the basis of a capital campaign raising funds to enable the Property Committee and Converse Winkler Architecture to address many of the high priority improvements.  These renovations featured upgrading the electrical systems, converting to a gas boiler, emergency lighting, handrail modifications and roof repairs. Partners for Sacred places assisted the efforts, providing education, maintenance guidance and strategies for undertaking larger projects as well as a matching grant for the slate roof repairs and replacement. Additional improvements were made to the lower level classrooms and outside play areas to create a playful and safe environment. Ceiling and lighting improvements, colorful murals, landscape, play equipment and tree planting have made for an enlivened environment while practical repairs such as moisture remediation at below grade walls ensure a safe environment. Renovations to the chapel and fellowship hall include a new A/V system and improved acoustics that allow for intimate seminar uses as well as a projecting stage and theater lighting to be the current home for numerous community organizations and meetings.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Totaro

Philadelphia PA | 2020 | Proposed

Consultant Team:
Heritage Design Collaborative | Architecture & Planning

Located in Mount Holly, New Jersey the historic Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church (SAEC), consecrated in 1845, has no reason to exist other than to serve their community! Their vision of the Church at its best and functioning most effectively, is when it is focused, not internally, but on the community where it resides. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is ideally located to fulfill its missions, yet the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry recognize that its facilities are no longer able to adequately accommodate the expansion of community programs. The Parish Hall, built in the early 1950’s as a Sunday school and community center for the parishioners, is now being repurposed to accommodate the SAEC mission within the greater Mount Holly and Burlington County community. The proposed project by Heritage Design Collaborative will simultaneously address much needed maintenance issues in the 70-year-old facilities as well as create a new, light-filled and inviting public center for new community programs.

Photo credit: Heritage Design Collaborative

Cape May Courthouse NJ | 2018 | In Development

Consultant Team:
Will Keenan | Developer

Formerly a historic Goshen United Methodist Church,  St.Babs acquired in January 2017 the 1830s building as a spiritual, arts & recovery refuge in Cape May County.   South Jersey native, independent film star & former Hollywood digital executive, Will Keenan began the project after the passing of his mother Barbara, a career Registered Nurse (RN) described by colleagues as the "Mother Theresa of Nursing". Since re-opening to the public on Mother's Day 2017, over 2500 people have come through the doors for music & arts events, recovery meetings & spiritual services. St.Babs was recently awarded an arts grant by the NJ State Council on the Arts in association with Cape May County Culture & Heritage Commission.

Photo credit: Will Keenan

Philadelphia PA | 2014 | In Development

Consultant Team:
CICADA Architecture/Planning, Inc. | Architecture

The story of the St. James the Lesser campus is one of resurrection, renewal, hope and prosperity. Built in 1846, the site was added to the list of National Register of Historical Places in 1974 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The church and associated school were closed in 2006 until a group of community members along with CICADA Architecture/Planning, Inc.

revitalized the campus as an innovative, holistic approach to education. The campus in West Allegheny is two parcels of land separated by West Clearfield St. The southern parcel includes the Church of St. James the Lesser and Cemetery. Since 2014, the northern parcel is the home of the St. James School, a faith-based middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating traditionally under-resourced students in a nurturing environment. According to the National Park Service’s official Statement of Significance, “This is the first example of the pure English Parish church style in America, and one of the best examples of a 19th-century American Gothic church for its coherence and authenticity of design....”

Photo credit: CICADA Architecture/Planning, Inc.

Philadelphia PA | 2015 | Completed

Consultant Team:
Blackney Hayes Architects | Architecture
Domas Construction | Contractor
MacINTOSH Engineering | Structural Engineer
Community Ventures | Developer
Depaul USA | Client

St. Raymond’s House is located at 7919 Forrest Avenue in the Cedarbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. Taken on as a project by Community Ventures the building was built in 1953 and is a three-story, low-rise, 16,600 square foot former vacant convent of the active St. Raymond of Penafort parish that has been rehabilitated and converted into permanent supportive housing with 27 single room occupancy (SRO) rental units. The design team utilized the existing SRO layout and large community spaces of the former convent and added an elevator and upgraded the shared bathroom facilities to meet the needs of the tenants. A staffed kitchen, dining room, offices and meeting space are located on the first floor. The second and third floors each have a community room and warming kitchen. A computer room, laundry facilities, large meeting area and community space are located in the basement. St. Raymond’s House offers permanent rental housing to homeless and vulnerable individuals, who have chronic health conditions. Depaul USA provides case management, education, financial literacy and life skills training designed to stabilize individuals within an independent living facility. In addition to providing much needed affordable housing, the project has created assets for the neighborhood. The local community is actively engaged in volunteering at St. Raymond’s House. Volunteers and program residents grow and harvest vegetables in the organic garden located in the rear of the building. Neighbors utilize the basement meeting space for community meetings weekly.

Photo credit: Domus Construction

Philadelphia PA | 2015 | Conceptual

Consultant Team:
Carter van Dyke Associates | Landscape Architecture & Planning
Clemens Construction Company, Inc. | Cost Estimator
Lindsey Allen | Historic Preservationist

The Community Design Collaborative’s volunteer team created a campus plan for The Waldorf School of Philadelphia’s new home in Germantown. Multi purpose outdoor spaces integrated with the Waldorf curriculum are proposed for the site, including class and community gardens in the sunniest corner of the site and engaging places for natural play. The concept features a mud pit, loose parts play, and climbable netting leading to a tree house.

Photo credit: The Waldorf School