Housing/Community Development
Berean Presbyterian Church
Situated in the middle of North Philadelphia, adjacent to Temple University’s main campus, the Berean Presbyterian Church maintains a strong presence. The historically significant building consists of a Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall built in the late 1800s. Berean’s space can support a congregation of 800, but its numbers have dwindled over time and much of their space is currently underutilized. The Collaborative’s design grant helped Berean conceptualize a transformation of the Church into a community hub focused on youth development. The proposed design offers spaces for learning, worship, gathering, and celebrating, accommodating programs such as summer camps, skills training and computer labs. The design elegantly modernizes the structure and functionality of the site with exterior green gathering spaces, inviting entryways, flexible spaces, and accessibility throughout, all while maintaining its historical presence.
