ST. PETER? I’M HOME
Former church offers a cozy sanctuary
Christian tradition describes devout souls meeting St. Peter at the pearly gates of heaven. You can find your sanctuary now at St. Peter’s Residences — 16 unique apartments created within a former church in the historic Deutschtown neighborhood on the North Side.
Built in the 1880s by wealthy German immigrants, the brick-and-stone building at 500 Lockhart St. still has its original 16 stained-glass windows that range in height from 8 to 18 feet and have been incorporated into the living spaces.
St. Peter’s Evangelical & Reform Church was a Protestant church established by Pittsburghers who did not want to worship in the Lutheran church frequented by many German immigrants. Over four years, its 22,000 square feet were converted to 16 high-end apartments that are popular with young professionals. A one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is now available and rents for $1,900 a month.
Unit 201 has more stained glass than any other apartment in the building, according to one of the owners, Bill West, of Oakmont. Gothic windows illuminate and decorate the kitchen, living room and bedroom. It’s a two-story apartment with 1,204 square feet of living space — 517 square feet on the ground floor, which contains the entrance hall, bedroom and laundry, and 687 square feet upstairs, with the kitchen, living room and dining room.
In the 1920s, the church built a school and rectory that are now part of St. Peter’s Residences. The complex takes up an entire block with entrances on both Avery and Lockhart streets.
There are eight one-bedroom, one-bath apartments and eight others with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Some are one level and others have two stories. Sizes range from 706 to 1,226 square feet and rents start at $1,250 per month.
The church had been vacant for 14 years when “a group of local guys” bought the building in 2017, West said. He grew up in the North Side’s Manchester neighborhood, attended North Catholic High School in Troy Hill and worked at an Isaly’s in his youth.
The longtime real estate developer was looking to retire when he noticed the church was for sale. It called to him.
“I had done more traditional projects. Nothing like the church,” he said.
West said there was substantial floor damage from water infiltration and deteriorating masonry inside. The original floors were replaced with vinyl planks that look like wood. Some of the exposed interior brickwork was repointed and preserved. Renovation cost more than $4 million.
“It took longer than we expected, and it cost more than we expected,” West said. “It was a labor of love.”
Construction was completed last year. Among the original details on display is the 1887 church bell, which was removed from the bell tower and installed in an entranceway.
“We spent a lot of time and money to save and restore the stained-glass windows,” said Andrew Hutchinson, one of the owners who managesthe property.
The windows were carefully removed before Rex Glass workers cleaned and restored them for reinstallation. Storm windows were added.
Throughout the project, West worked with the East Allegheny Community Council and the city’s Historic Review Board. While preserving the building’s historic charm, contractors also tried to make it more comfortable and safe, including sprinklers.
Apartment amenities include granite counter tops, contemporary-style kitchen cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, ceramic-tile bathrooms, and washers and dryers in each apartment. Closets and storage space were added. Each unit has its own water heater, central airconditioning and heating system.
“Parking is an issue,” West said, but not as much as in some urban rehabs.
“Many of the young professionals don’t own cars. They use public transit and have bicycles, so we have space for bicyclestorage,” he said.
A small nearby lot has six parking spaces that are available to residents for an extra fee.
For more information or to arrange a tour, call rental agent Nina Trbovich of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices at 412-3129620 or go to www.saintpetersresidence.com.