Paul and Christine Washington Community Center

Client

Church of the Advocate

Category

Historic Preservation

One of several projects completed in the master plan, the Paul and Christine Washington Family and Community Center is a new building in the historic Church of the Advocate complex in North Philadelphia. The national landmark, which was modeled after the Gothic Amiens Cathedral, was built in 1887.

The new facility provides a gymnasium, classrooms, and office space for community outreach programs. Our solution was both an intervention and invention. The design integrates the remains of the chapel ruins into a new building made of modern materials compatible with those of the historic complex. The chapel’s old south and west walls were stabilized, but could not take the additional loads.

Exterior elevations reflect the rhythm and texture of the former chapel. Inside, steel roof trusses and a pine wood ceiling evoke the memory of the old hammer beam truss and roof.

Sepia-toned photo of an old stone building with arched windows and doorways, showing partial ruins and columns. Once a civic landmark, it now inspires educational and interior design enthusiasts. Potted plants line the exterior, with trees visible behind the structure. Indoor basketball court features polished wooden floors, a high peaked ceiling with exposed beams, and elegant arched windows—showcasing exceptional interior design and architect-inspired details that create a bright, inviting civic space. A stone archway leads to a fenced area beside a historic Gothic-style church with pointed towers in Philadelphia, adjacent to a modern brick building, all under a clear blue sky—a testament to the city’s commitment to historic preservation. A black-and-white photo shows the civic interior of a large Philadelphia building under construction, featuring high vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, scaffolding, construction materials, and workers in hard hats. A modern glass door opens into a stone corridor with arched windows and columns, blending contemporary design with historic preservation for an inspiring civic space.

Photo/Image credits: Halkin | Mason Photography