The Church of the Transfiguration closed in 2000, and the church edifice at 56th and Cedar Streets in West Philadelphia was razed in 2009.
The Church of the Transfiguration closed in 2000, and the church edifice at 56th and Cedar Streets in West Philadelphia was razed in 2009. Initially established as a parish in 1905, this edifice was built in the Romanesque style in 1928. Unlike many churches of the time, Transfiguration spared no cost in terms of architectural elements and ornamentation.
In addition to the massive top sanctuary, the church had a vast underground chapel, as well as an adjacent Rectory, convent, and school building. However, like with many Philadelphia Catholic Parishes, attendance dwindled as populations changed, and the parish was subsequently merged with St. Carthage Parish down the street into the newly established St Cryrian.
For over a decade, the church stood empty. Parts of the elegant columns remained, as did the gold-painted representations of griffins flanking the cross, hinting at the sanctuary’s former grandeur.
The building that housed the Church of the Transfiguration was sold to the Boys’ Latin Charter School of Philadelphia in 2009. When Boy’s Latin bought the Church of Transfiguration’s school complex, the owners just desired a school building to allow the school to grow, therefore the church was razed.
