For the last 30 years, the magnificent Baptist Temple on North Broad Street has sat empty, a hulking relic of a storied past, its crumbling present crippling its future.
Fallen deep into disrepair, the 119 year old structure also fell out of favor.
"It sat and it was sort of forgotten, believe it or not, until they had to decide what was going to happen," said Charles Bethea, the executive director of the Baptist Temple.
It was a $30 million decision that, nearly two years later, has led to its rebirth.
Bethea has overseen nearly every step of the massive renovation, a process that, because of the building's historic designation, required attention to every detail.
140 stained glass windows were removed, restored, and returned while ornate wooden beams were sanded down and freshened up. A high-tech stage was also added as the ravages of time were removed.
"We really see this as a center of energy and creativity, an opportunity for people to gather and for dialogue to occur, both for academic and community engagement, and we think that that's a real important part of what's going to happen," Bethea said.
With a little more than two weeks to go before the original 119 year old doors swing open, the crew is busy fine-tuning things and preparing for the opening act: An April 17th concert featuring Tony-winning performer Patty LuPone.
After that, another opening act of sorts: A wedding, to be performed by Mayor Nutter. They are the first of many events in what Temple hopes is the northern extension of the Avenue of the Arts.
