About Us

Mission

Since 1977, Old Pine Community Center’s mission is to enrich the lives of our neighbors through programs and services focused on addressing food insecurity, supporting children and families, and building community engagement. Our work is responsive to and informed by our community, addressing unmet or undermet needs.

History

In the 1950s Old Pine Community Center was born from communities joining forces after the City of Philadelphia set aside the land along 4th and Lombard Street for redevelopment purposes. When the Friends of Old Pine Street acquired the land, they had a mind for the growing need of the community around them; Old Pine Street Church required more space for its expanding programming and pre-school and St. Peter’s School was in search of a gym to accommodate their growing enrollment.

The building project, completed in 1977, included a large banquet hall, gymnasium & locker room, kitchen, meeting rooms, library, and office space. The building space was intended 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 extensive archives. Remarkably, Old Pine Community Center was built entirely from private funds raised by the Friends of Old Pine Street, St. Peter’s School, and the Presbyterian Historical Society.

Over the last 45 years, Old Pine Community Center has gone through many changes, including being recognized as its own, independent 501(c)(3), all the while continuing the tradition of enriching the community. Individuals and families from across Philadelphia turn to OPCC as a place to gather, a place to learn, a place to nurture, and ultimately, a place to hope.