Restoring History: The Story of a 19th Century Church in Fishtown
Towering above rowhomes along East Susquehanna Street in Fishtown is a 19th-century church that has a rich history and a bright future. The stone Gothic structure, located at 1345 E. Susquehanna Ave., was purchased 20 years ago by an ambitious owner with a vision to convert it into his professional workspace and home.
Originally built before the Civil War, the church served as the Siloam Methodist Church, celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 1960. With over 100 members in its congregation at the time, the property holds significant historical and architectural value in the neighborhood.
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After decades of decline, the Siloam Methodist Church merged with another church in the area in 1999, leaving the 17,500-square-foot building vacant. In need of major renovations, the church awaited a new owner to define its next chapter.
Over the past two decades, the church has been transformed into the studio and home of Dominic Episcopo, a renowned professional photographer. Episcopo’s work with brands like Campbell’s Soup, Lululemon, and Wawa has brought life to the historic building, which is now listed for sale at $3.5 million.
One of the notable projects undertaken by Episcopo was the installation of 128 solar panels on the roof in 2013, making the property eco-friendly and sustainable.
Provided Image/HomeJab; Eddie Tully
The home’s owner, a professional photographer, created a 4,000-square-foot studio on the first floor of the former church.
The church’s first floor now houses a 4,000-square-foot photography studio, complete with a kitchen, lounge area, makeup corner, and a full bathroom. Upstairs, the former sanctuary boasts a 35-foot ceiling and stunning stained glass windows. The space is unfinished, with additional bedrooms and a custom dressing room on the third floor.
Provided Image/HomeJab; Eddie Tully
In this aerial view, the former Siloam Methodist Church stands tall among other buildings in the neighborhood.
The remarkable property features four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a 3,500-square-foot basement with 10-foot ceilings. A separate wing attached to the church includes two loft apartments with their own entrances and utilities.
Despite its historical significance, the building is not currently on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Real estate agent Dominic Fuscia has been amazed by the interest the property has garnered, with potential buyers seeking to preserve its historical integrity.
“There’s a lot of history in these buildings. When I see something torn up just because you can build it out more and get more units out of something, and they destroy the integrity of the interior, that really upsets me,” Fuscia said. “This building, with this owner, what he did was a labor of love.”