Apartments in the Works for Historic St. Laurentius Church

A photo posted by Chal D (@cmd215) on Apr 1, 2015 at 5:20pm PDT

We're feeling some deja vu today hearing the news that yet another church in Fishtown may be turned into apartments. Yesterday we reported that an already converted church at 1775 Frankford Avenue is back on the market after previously being proposed for demolition. Now, less than a quarter-mile away the historic St. Laurentis Church may be converted into residential units, reports PlanPhilly.

Developer Leo Voloshin said that he has entered into an agreement of sale with the Archdiocese, provided he can make the conversion work financially. And while he doesn't know how many apartments would be built in the 130-year-old church, the plan is to keep the structure in tact—at least externally.

That's a given, since St. Laurentis was deemed historic last year by the Philadelphia Historical Commission and
saved from demolition. It was the city's first Polish church and designed by local architect Edwin Forrest Durang, who specialized in ecclesiastical design.

Fingers crossed at least some of the interior is saved in the potential conversion, too. The cathedral ceilings and Gothic style architecture are quite the site to behold.

· Developer pursues apartment conversion at St. Laurentius in Fishtown [PP]
· Once planned for demo, Fishtown church now for sale [Curbed Philly]
· Answered Prayers? Demolition On Hold at St. Laurentius Church[Curbed Philly]
· Future of Saint Laurentius Church Very Much Up in The Air[Curbed Philly]