Plan Your Trip To
West Kensington Ministry
Power Street Theatre presents shows and community programming in partnership with West Kensington Ministry.
See below for directions via SEPTA trains and buses, cars, and bikes! We're happy to help you plan your trip to see one our shows and even learn about the amazing Norris Square community!
West Kensington Ministry
2140 N. Hancock St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Directions Via Public Transportation
Subway
Market-Frankford Line Heading East: Get off at the York-Dauphin stop, and walk South on Front Street (under the el). Turn right on W. Susquehanna Street and arrive at 2140 Hancock Street. You'll see West Kensington Ministry on the northwest corner of the Norris Square Park on Hancock Street and Susquehanna.
BUS:
#89: Take the bus to Susquehanna and Hancock. The church is on the corner of the street!
#3 : Take bus to Front and Coral Street. Cross under the el and head West on Diamond Street, then make a right on N. Hancock St.
#57 : Take bus to American and Diamond St. Head east on Diamond St and turn left on Hancock.
Directions Via Car
Coming from South:
Take I-95 North to Exit 23 Girard/Lehigh Ave. Turn left on Richmond Street, left on E. Girard Ave, right on E Palmer St, right on N. Front, left on W. Berks, and right on N. Hancock St. West Kensington Ministry is on the corner of N. Hancock and Susquehanna.
Coming from North:
Take I-95 South to Exit 25 Allegheny Ave/Castor Ave. Right on E.Allegheny, left on Aramingo Ave, right on Lehigh Ave, left on Frankford, slight right on Coral St, left on Front Street, turn right at first intersection onto W Norris St, and right onto Hancock st. West Kensington Ministry is on the corner of N. Hancock and Susquehanna.
PARKING:
Free parking is typically available on the streets surrounding Norris Square Park as well as surrounding side streets.
Directions Via Bike
Indego Bikes:
These short-term bike rentals make it easy to travel by bike! There's an Indego station located a short 10 minute walk from West Kensington Ministry at Berks and Front St.
There are various bike routes to West Kensington Ministry. We recommend planning your route for the safest ride, and avoid major streets with high speed limits such as North 2nd Street. Remember to always keep an eye out and wear a helmet!
About The Neighborhood
Norris Square Park (El Barrio)
Norris Square boasts a rich history of migration and civic engagement. A primarily Latino and African American neighborhood, Norris Square became home to many Puerto Rican families beginning in the 1950’s and grew larger in the 1960’s-1980’s as a result of gentrification occurring a few blocks South in the Spring Garden neighborhood. The neighborhood continues to experience waves of migration from the Caribbean, the most recent being a result of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Organizations such as Concilio and Taller Puertoriqueño have formed and advocated for the neighborhood’s residents as early as the 1960’s. If you walk the perimeter of the park, you will notice many neighborhood organizations, advocacy groups, clinics, and churches that foster community cohesion and political engagement.
Neighbors stop and chat in English, Spanish, and Spanglish. The sounds of bachata, salsa, and reggaetón stream from cars and brightly-colored storefronts - to be interrupted from time to time by the crow of a rooster in someone’s backyard. Teenagers shoot hoops on the court and kids weave in and out of the playground shrieking for joy.
Norris Square is a special place and serves a central hub for much of Philadelphia’s Latino community. As real estate development continues to amplify, many residents wonder if it’s possible to welcome change while still preserving heritage and community.