First it was a Methodist Church. Then it was a restaurant. And now, it’s a new restaurant: OldeStone. Jenn Frederick picked through that series of transformations for FOX 29 Philadelphia.

The Methodists left the site on South Main Street, New Hope, to move to Souderton more than 20 years ago. In 2003, restaurateur Marsha Brown cleared out most of the pews, retained the stained glass, installed tables, and opened Old Stone Church.

Last March, COVID-19 snuffed the business out like a sputtering votive candle.

But starting tonight, the location’s restaurant days have been resurrected.

OldeStone, with its accent on steak and seafood, will again fill the 1872 building with diners replacing the congregation and live jazz transplanting the hymns.

The proprietors have made it a point to retain some of Marsha’s best-selling dishes. For example, the Eggplant Ophelia, a Creole dish from a recipe from Brown’s mother, is back, after being specifically requested by diners. Management described it as “shrimp and crabmeat casserole topped with grilled eggplant and baked until golden brown, elegantly garnished with our Creole butter sauce.”

Other popular entreés — lollipop lamb chops — are orderable. But the chefs are also widening their culinary profile to include French and Middle Eastern cuisine.

More on the revival of the setting for OldeStone is at FOX 29 Philadelphia.