House of the week: A converted church in the Graduate Hospital area for $575,000

When the founders of the Baptist church in the Graduate Hospital area were building it just over a century ago, it’s doubtful they foresaw the distant future of the building.

It served as a house of worship until around 2015, when a developer converted it into two residences. In 2023, Elissa and Nate Levine bought their home after renting in the neighborhood.

“It had all the rooms in the right place for us,” said Nate, a research laboratory technician. “But don’t overlook the cool factor.”

Now, however, the Levines are headed for Michigan for a new job for Elissa, who is from there.

On the outside, the home looks like others on the block. But inside, its earlier life as a church is clearly visible.

The three-bedroom, two-bath home has high ceilings, exposed beams, and leaded glass windows.

There are two bedrooms and a tiled full bath with shower/tub on the first floor.

The second floor, once the worship area, has a huge living/dining/kitchen space and large windows on the north and south sides.

There is wood flooring, granite countertops, and storage space.

Upstairs is a loft where Nate practices one of his hobbies, making costumes. The space could also be turned into an office.

There is another bedroom on the third floor with a tiled bath with shower/tub. And the basement is finished.

The house is on a “garden block” — the garden runs the full length — and is near University City, Children’s Hospital, Fitler Square, and Schuylkill River Park.

Total square footage is 1,730. The house is listed by Pamela Rosser-Thistle of BHHS Fox & Roach at the Harper, Rittenhouse Square for $575,000.