The Church Brew Works (St. John the Baptist Church)

Courtesy of Brian Crawford

Location:

3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Description:

Originally constructed between 1902 and 1903 for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, this Roman Catholic church was designed by the Beezer Brothers and served its parish until the early 1990s. After being deconsecrated in 1993, the building remained unused until its dramatic transformation into The Church Brew Works in 1996.

The adaptive reuse preserved key architectural elements—the soaring vaulted ceilings with hand‑painted cypress beams, the kaleidoscopic stained‑glass rose window, the gleaming apse repurposed as a brewing facility, and even the original Douglas fir floors and church lanterns—all integrated thoughtfully into its new identity.

The pews were shortened and converted into seating, with remnants used to craft the bar, while one confessional was retained as a display for branded merchandise. The result is a truly arresting brewpub that seamlessly blends historic sacred architecture with vibrant social life.