Old Pine Community Center

School Transportation : McCall Gen George A Sch – Escorted to/from school Meredith William M Sch – Escorted to/from school
Public Transportation : Bus Subway/El Train
Language(s) Spoken : English Spanish
Part Time / Full Time : Full Time Part Time

The Old Pine Community Center is the main mission arm of Old Pine Street Church for the delivery of services to the Philadelphia community. Chief among them is the Old Pine Street Church “Saturday for Seniors” program which has been serving hot lunches to 50 senior citizens weekly at the Center since it’s opening in 1978. The Center also houses church Sunday School congregational luncheons and committee meetings regularly many for the purpose of planning the delivery of new services to our community through the OPCC.

During the 1950s the land around Old Pine Street Church was set aside by the city for re-development purposes. The Friends of Old Pine led by Alexander Mackie acquired the land along 5th & Lombard Streets with the idea of creating a Presbyterian block. The church was running out of space for its programs and pre-school and St Peters School needed a gym for its expanding enrollment. Various plans were discussed and in 1973 a committee was formed to plan and supervise the building project. By 1974 the plan was approved to include a large meeting space gymnasium & locker rooms kitchen meeting rooms library and office space. The building space was to be shared by Old Pine Street Church and St. Peters School and the basement was allocated to the adjacent Presbyterian Historical Society for its archives. The center is built entirely from private funds raised through these three organizations the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Friends of Old Pine.

The Center opened in the fall of 1977. Early programs included the Three Steps Nursery Pre-School Co-op Saturday for Seniors wheelchair basketball and yoga. Afterschool care was soon added and in the 1980s Summer City Camp. An annual Craft Fair was the main fundraiser. The Philadelphia Committee for the Homeless was formed in 1982 and initially worked out of the Center. Twelve step meetings provided support to those battling addiction.

Today the Center offers programs for children & adults including an After School Program and a Bi-Lingual Headstart Pre-School Program. During the week the Center provides its gym for use by St. Peter’s School. The Center also sponsors a program of Adult Learning and Literacy. Learners are matched with tutors and they work one-on-one to gain skills and knowledge according to their personal goals perhaps to pass the GED exam; perhaps to become more proficient in reading or math.

Several community organizations use the Center as their regular meeting place including Cub Scouts Boy Scouts 12-step groups the South Street Headhouse District and the Society Hill Civic Association. The weekly “Saturday for Seniors” program offers a home-cooked meal and a take home supper to senior citizens along with the opportunity for fellowship. By serving as a meeting place for such groups the Community Center is a hub of neighborhood life. On election days the Community Center serves as a polling place for the neighborhood. In the evenings and on Saturdays the Center hosts a variety of sports leagues.

The Center also offers a variety of rental opportunities. The Center’s gymnasium which can accommodate up to 250 persons and Wasson Hall which can accommodate 100 may be rented for private parties dinners wedding receptions or meetings. A full institutional kitchen is available. The Center also can provide space for smaller groups to meet. The first floor of the Center including the gymnasium and Wasson Hall is handicap accessible and public parking lots are within a two-block walk.

Child Ages:

2 months - 15 years

Licenses & Accreditations:

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Vouchers:

This provider accepts vouchers

Special Needs:

Administer Medication Administer Nebulizer Treatment (Asthma) Asthma Auditory Impairment Behavioral/Emotional Issues Special Diet

Preschool:

Yes