Know Your Neighborhood: Christ Church Hospital, 306 - 308 Cherry St

Christ Church Hospital (Christ Church Hospital for Indigent Women) was founded by Dr John Kearsley in 1772 at 111 Arch St. The "Hospital" was not a hospital in the modern sense; it was a place to live for poor and widowed women of the church. In March, 1819 the hospital moved to a new, larger building at 306 - 308 Cherry St. The architect was William Strickland and the new building cost almost $19,000. It was (& is) 60 feet wide and 40 feet deep and had a rear wing that no longer stands. There were 24 rooms to accommodate 40 women.

In the 1850's, a new, much larger, Christ Church Hospital was built at what is now 49th Street and Monument Avenue. The building was designed by architect John M. Gries (1827–62).  Gothic architectural details can be seen in this image, including narrow pointed arched windows, gable roofs, pinnacles, and spires.  In 1961, that hospital became Kearsley Rehab & Nursing Center—named for the hospital's founder.

The Church St building was converted into factory and warehouse space. In the 1910's the attic was turned into a full 4th story and in the 1980's the building was converted to apartments and office space.

It is an important example of late Federal institutional architecture. Although its tall gable roof and segmental arched dormers were replaced with a Second Empire roof in 1865, the rhythm and proportions of the façade as well as the Flemish bond brick reflect its Federal heritage.

ca 1900?

Today

Kearsley Rehab today