The church that owns and uses this once-magnificent building (since 1996) is considering working with a developer to revitalize it. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/16/12, at pp. B1, B6, said, Built in 1908 by Oscar Hammerstein I, grandfather of the famous Broadway lyricist, the four-story, white brick building was home to his Philadelphia Opera Company. Caruso sang on its great stage. Nijinsky danced there with the Ballet Russes. The Met was used as an opera venue until the 1920s, when it became a vaudeville theater, a movie house, a ballroom and later a venue for sports, including boxing, wrestling and basketball. In 1954, a faith healer named Thea F. Jones bought the building and used it as a church until 1990. It was vacant until 1995.
Publication date | Jun 24, 2018 |
Neighborhood |
The church that owns and uses this once-magnificent building (since 1996) is considering working with a developer to revitalize it. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/16/12, at pp. B1, B6, said, Built in 1908 by Oscar Hammerstein I, grandfather of the famous Broadway lyricist, the four-story, white brick building was home to his Philadelphia Opera Company. Caruso sang on its great stage. Nijinsky danced there with the Ballet Russes. The Met was used as an opera venue until the 1920s, when it became a vaudeville theater, a movie house, a ballroom and later a venue for sports, including boxing, wrestling and basketball. In 1954, a faith healer named Thea F. Jones bought the building and used it as a church until 1990. It was vacant until 1995.