Come and Explore Wilkinsburg’s Divine History

The Sacred Spaces Tour takes visitors to the borough’s churches, mosques and historic buildings.

photos by jason cohn

The Sacred Spaces Tour offers a chance to take an in-depth look at some of the 40-plus spiritual centers making up the backbone of Wilkinsburg. Pittsburgh’s Office of Public Art, community developer Neighborhood Allies and artist Jennifer Chenoweth will host the tour on Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event includes churches, mosques and other historic buildings, featuring music and arts programming at each stop.

“Within 2 square miles, there are hidden gems that include remarkable stained glass, pipe organs, carved wood, intricate stone detailing, and handcrafted details on every surface,” Chenoweth says in a press release. “These historic buildings shape the visual fabric of Wilkinsburg.”
 

The Sacred Spaces Tour is the final piece of Chenoweth’s temporary public art project Come Over, Come Eat, Come Play, created in collaboration with the Wilkinsburg Arts Commission and the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. The two-year project included pop-up events, such as domino games, dance parties and park programs. The events were intended to build relationships within the community and to engage residents in dialogue about Wilkinsburg.

Arts programming that will be presented as part of the Sacred Spaces Tour includes a one-act play about the story of Job, a steel drum performance, an African dance performance, a photography exhibit of historic churches, poetry reading and a pipe organ performance. The tour will be followed by a reception at the Pittsburgh Urban Christian School Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m.

RSVPs are encouraged for the free event, although donations are accepted. A free shuttle will travel between locations. Those interested in volunteering can sign up here.