According to the SOSNA Zoning Committee Agenda for next week, change is afoot for two churches in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood.

Back in August, we wondered about the future of Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, located at the corner of Fitzwater St. and Grays Ferry Ave., which had just been put on the market for $2.5M. On Wednesday, the party purchasing the building will be presenting preliminary plans to convert the building into apartments. Great to hear this attractive building will be preserved, and we’ll be listening carefully regarding plans for resident parking. Parking has been a bugaboo for this building in the past.

St. Matthew

Meanwhile, at 19th and Fitzwater Sts., the former Mt. Olive AME church may soon meet the wrecking ball.

The property has quietly been on the market for awhile for $1.2M, and it’s currently under contract. The developer intends to construct five new single family homes on this site- a project that sounds very similar to the nearly completed six homes at 20th and Fitzwater Sts. that replaced the Metropolitan AME Church. We understand it’s not the same developer, however.

Mount Olive AME

Hasn't been very well maintained

Former Metropolitan AME at 20th and Fitzwater Sts. Image from Preservation Alliance.

Fairly recent shot of the buildings that replaced it

We’ll definitely provide an update after next week’s meeting, after which we should have more detailed information on both projects.