Capuchin Franciscan Friars will use the property for their provincial postulancy program.
Father Thomas Higgins, Pastor of Holy Innocents Parish in Juniata Park, announced last Sunday that the former St. Joachim convent of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at Church and Penn Streets, had been sold to the Capuchins.
They will relocate the Padre Pio Friary from its present location in West Philadelphia to here in Frankford over the next few months as renovations to the building are accomplished.
Community concern about the future reuse of this building has been growing as it sat idle and was a target for vandalism. The likelihood that it might have become a recovery or boarding house was a possibility. The Capuchins are a good fit for the community and should be good neighbors. Welcome to Frankford, Brothers!
photo credit: St. Padre Pio via photopin (license)
Father Higgins has the time to deal with the sale of property but not to answer to the good people of Frankford.