Tree of Life Synagogue is landmark with versatility
The best use for a property on Pennsylvania Avenue in Uniontown may be as a house of worship.
But the Tree of Life Synagogue building, a landmark structure, is for sale and could be used for anything from office space to living quarters.
The large brick rectangular structure was built in 1902, according to Myrna Giannopolous of the Tree of Life Congregation board of trustees.
“We would like to see it used for another religious purpose,” she said, adding it is for sale because the congregation has “25 members and there’s not much they can do.”
The building has an interior balcony, a community room downstairs and a large commercial kitchen, among other features. Giannopolous said there is not much parking space but there is a well-manicured lot on the north side of the building.
The property, she added, “would make a nice receiving area for a funeral home.”
The property contains 3,520 square-feet of space, has a rubber roof, six rooms and sits on a .48 acre lot that measures 140-feet-by-120-feet. Although it has an open sanctuary, it is considered a two-story building.
SWC Properties is handling the sale. Sam Simon, associate broker, also would like to see the property used for worship purposes. “That’s what it was built for,” he said.
According to the SWC Properties description, it is a “beautifully maintained synagogue with finished lower level and modern commercial kitchen. This is a unique opportunity to own this landmark structure.”
It also has “beautifully preserved stained glass windows, a large balcony, two restrooms, security system, central air conditioning, hot water heating, ceiling fans and more.”
However, the building could have many other uses.
According to the website Hidden City Philadelphia, each community has seen some of its churches closed.
“As we’ve reported recently, there are some 75 vacant or vulnerable churches in Philadelphia, and many of them are deteriorating rapidly,” Hidden City said.
“It isn’t easy, of course, to transform a sacred building for a secular use; the cost of conversion can be significant and the spaces itself don’t necessarily lend themselves to other kinds of uses beyond worship and prayer. Or do they?” according to Hidden City.
The website reported there are many examples in Philadelphia and other communities of former churches being used for such things as office space, residential living, community centers, the performing arts and many others.
For example, according to Hidden City, one developer turned a church into living space, retaining its brownstone facade and stained-glass windows.
With elements of the Greek and Renaissance Revival styles, a former Philadelphia Methodist church was transformed into an open-office work space for freelancers and small businesses.
Rising rents lead a professional photographer to buy a former church and turn it into his home. According to Hidden City, he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars restoring the property while upgrading it by adding solar panels on the roof. He lives in the main sanctuary and rents out a few apartments and work studios to cover the mortgage.
Another edifice underwent a multi-million dollar rescue, which included a converted concert hall that seats about 1,200 people and has hosted numerous stage events, religious gatherings and conferences.
A former Hebrew school was acquired by a mental health non-profit corporation and reopened as an older adult center where it provides recreation, education and counseling services. And, a Philadelphia company bought a former catholic church to serve as its new corporate headquarters and event center.
Other potential uses for former houses of worship include sports facilities, social service agencies, businesses and multi-use.
For more information, call Simon at SWC Properties at 724-425-7300 or 724-437-1160.