Union Place (old Community House)

Written By DOP Team

801 Union Avenue | 10 am – 4 pm

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Church staff will be giving tours of the restored building which was built with the finest materials available in 1916. See the repurposed swimming pool area that features Guastavino vaulted ceilings with interlocking terracotta tiles. Explore the first, second and third floors, which contain beautiful meeting rooms with high ceilings, crown molding, hardwood wainscoting paneling and ornate fireplaces highlighted by terrazzo and marble floors.

ABOUT THIS BUILDING

The six-story Community House began as ministry of the First United Presbyterian Church of Allegheny. In June 1915, Christina Arbuckle, the heir to the Yuban Coffee fortune, commissioned the Community House to be built for the sum of three million dollars, “that the building might become a lighthouse to its community and its programs lead people to wholesome living and personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.” It contained a swimming pool, auditorium, gymnasium, running track, bowling alley, doctor’s offices, dispensary, milk station, immigrant housing, meeting rooms, roof top playground and cafeteria.

Allegheny Center Alliance Church purchased the Community House in 2003 and renamed it Union Place at the request of the sellers. It has been lovingly restored and updated with new electrical, plumbing and HVAC to again be a busy hub of wholesome faith based community activities.

  • Photography Allowed: YES

  • Wheelchair-Accessible Entrance: YES

  • Public Restrooms: YES

  • Wheelchair-Accessible Restrooms: YES

  • Photo ID Required: NO

  • Proof of COVID Vaccination Required: NO

  • Face Coverings Required: NO

  • Other: Visitors should enter through the front door.

DOP Team
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