There are plenty of churches in Boston that have been converted to apartments or condos. The old St. James African Orthodox Church at 50 Cedar Street in Roxbury's Fort Hill area might be the very next one: There's a deal pending for the 8,040-square-foot structure, and it's zoned for residential. The Boardwalk Properties listing, in fact, touts the 105-year-old former sanctuary as "ready for redevelopment" and classifies it as multifamily. At the same time, the listing points out the church's understandable capaciousness: The top floor "holds up 250 +/- congregants with a large priest and a choir room. Beautiful stained glass throughout the entire building. Downstairs has a large open hall and could possibly seat another 100-150 +/- more congregants."
As big and beautiful as it may be, 50 Cedar needs some serious TLC. A Foursquare commenter described it thus in 2012: "Neglected, blighted, this spiritual edifice sighs with wear as it invites stollers [sic] to imagine the events that led to its state of decay; desecration." The old church's board members were asking $999,500 when they found a buyer for the property. No word yet on the closing price.
· Mysterious Gothic Wonderland Awaits You at 740 Tremont [Curbed Boston]