Zion Lutheran Church Adaptive Reuse

York, PA

Main Street Matters Grant Recipient

The York County Industrial Development Authority (YCIDA) is spearheading the restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic Zion Lutheran Church in downtown York City, a significant property dating back to 1850. The church, once a place of worship and now vacant and deteriorating, is set to become an event venue and public gathering space as part of a larger redevelopment effort that will integrate it into the Yorktowne Hotel campus. This transformative vision received a major boost with the award of a Main Street Matters grant through Governor Josh Shapiro’s newly launched initiative, which supports revitalization projects across the Commonwealth. The funding will help advance the Zion Church project, contributing to York’s economic development and enhancing the vitality of the downtown community.
Project Details
Client
York County Industrial Development Authority
Size
7,500 sf
Completion Date
TBD
14zion-church-duke-st_06112024

We listen.

The completed Phase 1 of the project involves a comprehensive assessment, including structural, masonry, roofing, MEP, life-safety, ADA accessibility, and environmental studies to determine the most appropriate restoration approach. The property’s historical value is underscored by its role in the York Historic District and its associated cemetery, which will be preserved and maintained as part of the revitalization.

We design.

The building’s condition presents challenges, including deteriorating walls, damaged plaster, and non-compliant ADA accessibility features. The first floor, fellowship hall, and second-floor nave are in good general condition but need to be reviewed closely to maintain the Historic Character while providing required proposed use change and life safety upgrades. These could include re-swinging existing doors, timber framing reinforcing, and assessing the handrails and staircases for code-compliance. The historic elements such as stained-glass windows and woodwork will be restored, while modern systems and structures, including elevators and compliant egress paths, will be integrated into a new addition to meet current standards.
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Zion Lutheran Church Adaptive Reuse project on North Duke Street in York, PA

We deliver.

Overall, the main sanctuary remains structurally sound with limited water damage, while the western addition has extensive damage that necessitates reconstruction. The project will address exterior repairs such as repointing masonry, restoring deteriorated sidewalks, and fixing retaining walls. The church is generally suitable for adaptive reuse, though the western portion will need replacement to stabilize and modernize the space.

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