A Chapel and Nursery School Become 20 Homes: A Pennsylvania Presbyterian Church Develops Its Own Apartments

• Valley Forge Presbyterian Church in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, is converting a vacant building into 20 rental apartments.
• The building was the church’s original chapel and later a nursery school.
• The $6.2 million project has county and state support and is expected to finish in early 2027.
• The church keeps ownership and has a 30-year lease with the Upper Merion Area Housing Association to run the homes.

A Pennsylvania congregation is acting as its own housing developer. WHYY reported that Valley Forge Presbyterian Church in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, is converting an empty building into affordable apartments.

The building was the church’s original chapel and was later used as a nursery school before falling vacant. It will become a 20-unit rental complex for seniors on fixed incomes, disabled neighbours, and lower-earning young adults and families. The project costs $6.2 million, with county and state government support, and is expected to be finished in early 2027.

The church is the developer and will continue to own the property. It has signed a 30-year lease with the Upper Merion Area Housing Association to manage the homes.

The Rev Tim Dooner said: “Our housing vulnerable neighbors need more people in institutions whose mode of being is loving and not profiteering.” Montgomery County Commissioners chair Jamila Winder said: “This is proof that when we collaborate towards one common goal, we truly can make a difference.” Township board chair Tina Garzillo described adaptive reuse projects like this one as the kind of creative, community-based solution the township needs.

Converting an existing church building can be quicker and cheaper than building from scratch, and it gives a second life to a building the congregation already owns. By keeping ownership and handing day-to-day management to a housing association, Valley Forge Presbyterian keeps control of its asset without having to become a landlord. Jamaican churches with disused halls, old chapels or former schools could consider the same model: convert the building, keep the title and contract a housing organisation or management company to run it. Public support and a long management lease can make the numbers work.

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