If you’ve lived in North Philly or spent any time driving down East Lehigh Avenue, you’ve seen it. The massive brick complex of Temple University Hospital – Episcopal Campus is hard to miss. But honestly, most people just call it "Episcopal," and there’s a lot of confusion about what actually happens inside those walls nowadays. Is it a full hospital? Is it just for mental health? Why is the sign different than it was twenty years ago?
Basically, it’s a survivor.
The medical world in Philadelphia has changed drastically since Episcopal was founded back in 1851. Back then, it started in a mansion owned by a merchant named John Leamy. It wasn’t even on Lehigh yet. Today, it’s a critical piece of the Temple Health system, serving as a primary hub for behavioral health while still keeping a foot firmly planted in emergency medicine for the Kensington and Port Richmond neighborhoods.
🔗 Read more: Is Ginger Good For You? The Real Science Behind This Gnarly Root
What is Episcopal Hospital on Lehigh Actually For?
Let's clear up the biggest misconception right away. People often think Episcopal is just a "psych ward" or, conversely, that it’s a massive surgical center like the Temple Main campus on Broad Street. Neither is exactly right.
Today, the campus at 100 E Lehigh Ave is a hybrid. It houses one of only four psychiatric Crisis Response Centers (CRC) in Philadelphia. That’s a big deal. If someone is having a mental health emergency in this part of the city, this is where they go. The CRC sees over 10,000 patients a year. It’s open 24/7/365, staffed by psychiatrists and social workers who handle everything from acute psychosis to severe substance use crises.
But it isn't only about behavioral health.
The facility also runs a full-service Emergency Department. It handles about 45,000 visits annually. If you cut your hand or have a high fever, you can go there. They also have a "Minor Care Center" that stays open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the stuff that isn't quite a life-or-death emergency but still needs a doctor fast.
Breaking down the beds
You might be surprised by how the space is actually used. It isn't just one big ward.
- 118 Behavioral Health beds: This includes 74 adult inpatient psychiatric beds and 44 extended acute beds.
- 21 Inpatient Medical beds: This is for "short-stay" patients—people who need monitoring or telemetry but don't require the high-intensity surgical suites found at Temple Main.
The Architecture of a Neighborhood Anchor
Walking past the building, you're looking at layers of history. Some of the most famous architects in American history worked on this place. We’re talking about Samuel Sloan and Horace Trumbauer. Trumbauer’s firm is the same group that designed the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You can see that DNA in the heavy stone and formal presence of the older wings.
The hospital was originally the Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church. For a long time, it operated its own nursing school. If you talk to older residents in Kensington, they probably have a grandmother or aunt who graduated from there. The school closed its doors in the late 2000s, but that legacy of training is why the campus still feels like a little city of its own.
Honestly, the location is everything. Being right on the border of Kensington and Port Richmond puts it at the epicenter of some of the city's toughest challenges, particularly the opioid epidemic. Because of this, the staff there are some of the most battle-hardened and empathetic professionals you’ll ever meet. They aren't just treating symptoms; they are managing the fallout of a neighborhood in transition.
Why the Temple Merger Changed Everything
In the late 90s, the independent Episcopal Hospital was struggling. It’s a story we’ve seen all over the country—community hospitals failing because of rising costs and changing insurance structures. Temple University Health System stepped in and acquired it in 1998.
This was a pivot point.
Instead of trying to make Episcopal a "mini-Temple Main," they specialized it. They moved the bulk of Temple’s behavioral health services to Lehigh Avenue. This allowed the Broad Street campus to focus on high-end transplants and trauma, while Episcopal became a dedicated center for psychiatry and community-level emergency care.
Expert Note: While Episcopal provides excellent stabilizing care, they are not a Level 1 Trauma Center. For major gunshot wounds or complex neurosurgery, patients are often stabilized at Episcopal and then quickly transported two miles away to Temple Main.
Services You Might Not Know Exist There
Most people know about the ER, but there are specialized clinics tucked away in the Medical Arts Building (Suite 204 at 110 E. Lehigh) and throughout the campus:
- The Real World Diabetes Program: This isn't just a lecture. They help people in the neighborhood actually manage their blood sugar while dealing with the realities of life in North Philly.
- Cardiology Imaging: You don't have to go to Broad and Ontario for an ECHO or an EKG. They have on-site cardiac testing and stress tests.
- Prenatal and OB/GYN: While they moved Labor & Delivery services to the new Women & Families Hospital recently, you can still get regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and prenatal care at the Episcopal location.
- Radiology and Lab: It’s actually a very convenient spot for blood work. The lab is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and you don't need an appointment.
Facing the Realities of the Location
Look, we have to be real about the neighborhood. The area around Lehigh and B Street has its rough patches. Parking can be a nightmare in North Philly, but the Episcopal Campus actually has free self-parking for patients. That’s a rarity in the city. There is a patient/visitor lot at the far end of the driveway and a 24-hour lot specifically for the Emergency Department.
💡 You might also like: How to Make Healthy Dressing That Actually Tastes Good
Public transit is also a big factor. The Market-Frankford Line’s Huntingdon Street station is just a block or so away. This makes it one of the most accessible healthcare sites for people who don't have a car.
What users often ask
- Can I give birth there? Not anymore. Labor and delivery moved to Temple’s specialized women’s hospital.
- Is it a "scary" place? Some people get nervous because of the high volume of behavioral health patients. However, the security is tight, and the "Crisis Response Center" is a separate, secured entrance designed to keep everyone safe.
- Do I need a referral for the CRC? No. You can literally walk into the Crisis Response Center if you or a loved one is in a psychiatric emergency.
Practical Steps for Visiting
If you're heading to Episcopal Hospital on Lehigh, here is how to navigate it efficiently:
- For Mental Health Emergencies: Head straight to the Crisis Response Center. Do not wait in the regular ER line.
- For Lab Work: Go early. The lab opens at 7:30 a.m. and gets busier as the morning progresses. Bring your ID and insurance card; you won't need an appointment for standard blood draws.
- For Cardiology: Most heart-related appointments happen in the Medical Arts Building, which is slightly separate from the main hospital entrance.
- Parking: Use the official lots. Don't try to find street parking on Lehigh Avenue; it’s usually a losing battle and you'll end up walking further than you need to.
- Records: If you need to request medical records (Release of Information), you'll need to fill out a specific form and provide a valid ID. You can often do this through the Temple Health patient portal, which is much faster than doing it in person.
The Episcopal campus isn't just a building; it’s a stabilizer for a part of Philadelphia that often feels overlooked. Whether it's a psychiatric crisis or a minor injury at 10:00 p.m., having those doors open on Lehigh Avenue is a lifeline for thousands of families.