READING, Pa. — You’ve probably passed this building on Washington Street in Reading without realizing what’s inside. The First Reformed Church.
This Wednesday, we went inside with Alan Shuman, the developer leading the building’s renovation.
“Absolutely wonderful, amazing church,” said Shuman, director at Shuman Development Group.
As work continues, Shuman says they’ve been uncovering pieces of the church’s past.
“A lot of the stained glass was replaced in the 1970s, but we still have some of the original here,” he said.
Then, while inspecting the basement, something unexpected caught his attention.
“Here you see the altar pieces,” Shuman said. “What people online are saying is that these are pieces from the Second Reformed Church, the Baer Chapel that we restored. And when the church groups merged, this got moved over here.”
After Shuman shared the discovery on social media, former church members, historians, and longtime residents began chiming in, sharing memories and piecing together its story. Some believe the marble altar dates back to the late 1800s.
“Every building you go into, you know you’re going to find something,” Shuman said. “These buildings have been here for hundreds of years.”
And now, the focus is on what comes next. Just imagine this beautiful church transformed, becoming an event space filled with people, stories, and conversations.
“That’s the vision,” Shuman said. “There’s going to be a wedding space upstairs, nondenominational weddings, and more spaces like the one we’re in now that will serve as reception areas.”
An open house showcasing the space, including where the altar will ultimately be placed, is planned for May.