The Upper Holmesburg Civic Association and the Northeast Community Civic Alliance last week voted 10-2 to approve the conversion of a former bank into a church.
Stan Cywinski, president of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, hosted the July 25 Zoom meeting. David Orphanides, the lawyer for International Central Gospel Church, presented the case. Pastor Rich Nyamefi was also on the call.
The property, at 9218 Frankford Ave., is owned by Posel Corporation. It’s a former Citizens Bank, which moved to 9998 Frankford Ave. The church needs a variance because the property is zoned commercial.
Presently, the church is located at 1840 Grant Ave. It has 70 members and is looking to grow.
The 18,354 square-foot lot on Frankford Avenue has a one-story building, a partial cellar and 16 parking spaces.
The Sunday service runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a Bible study on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., along with a prayer meeting on Fridays from 8-10 p.m.
There is no proposed signage. Nyamefi said there is no day care “for now.”
Neighbors on the call had questions about parking and traffic, but nonetheless approved the variance, including a proviso for 3½ years.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Aug. 30.••
