All Saints Convent in Etna transformed into apartment living

The cross details and All Saints name remain on the front of the building, the beloved home to nuns for many years.

But, as is protocol for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh when a religious building is being reposed, anything liturgical, including stained glass with symbols such as a chalice or image of a saint, has been removed.

The three story structure has been renovated into apartments.

“We love this building and wanted to do this to improve this wonderful community,” said building owner John Fries. “It’s a cool project, and we take a lot of pride in it.”

All Saints Convent in Etna was part of All Saints Church, which is a worship site for St. Matthews Parish, and was vacant when Fries purchased it.

There had been some damage to the roof and interior.

It was most recently a day care and kindergarten, according to Etna borough manager Mary Ellen Ramage.

The church building remains and the current structure was dedicated in 1915.

Fries, of Indiana Township, saw the building was vacant when he drove by (he also owns a single-family house nearby). He made a call about it and decided to renovate it into luxury apartments. There are three spacious dwellings – one on each floor. Each unit has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious living room, new appliances and a utility room that can accommodate a washer and dryer.

Rent is $1,800 per month and all three units are currently rented.

Courtesy of Laura Jo Fries

The apartments at the former All Saints Convent in Etna have new appliances, the original hardwood floors and lots of natural light.

The structure was built in the early 1900s. Fries, who grew up in Shaler, said the foundation and exterior are solid. They purposely kept the look of the outside façade, and preserved some of the original aspects of the building such as the hardwood floors, wooden staircase railings and exposed fireplaces.

There is an abundance of natural light, a rear patio and an off-street parking area.

Pets are permitted.

Courtesy of Laura Jo Fries

Off-street parking at the former All Saints Convent in Etna which has been transformed into apartments.

A tenant said he found the listing through an apartment search and likes it because it’s convenient to Downtown Pittsburgh.

“They did a super great job on this place,” the tenant said. “I like that they kept the wood flooring, which gives the place character.”

This location has a city feel to it, Fries said.

“We tried to give the apartments a homey feel. There are some imperfections, but that adds to the coolness. This area has a bunch of gentrification happening, restaurants and businesses.”

The transformation took about two and a half years, said Fries, who also owns J. Fries Landscaping and Premium Landscape Supply in Allison Park.

Ramage said having the building re-purposed is wonderful.

She said the apartments are large enough for more than two people to live in each one, and it’s in a walkable neighborhood with a nearby park.

“It is such a beautiful building and so well built,” she said. “We are so happy to see it being used for housing because we are built out and there is not a lot of room to add new housing.”