Louis Bellinger

New Granada Theater (c. 1927), Pittsburgh, designed by Bellinger Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger (September 29, 1891 – February 3, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was an American architect, responsible for the design of significant buildings in and near Pittsburgh.

Early life and education Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger was born on September 29, 1891, in Sumter, South Carolina, to African American parents Florence and George Bellinger. He was raised in Charleston, South Carolina and graduated from Avery Normal Institute, the first Black high school in Charleston.

In the late 1920s and 1930s, Bellinger created many important buildings in Pittsburgh, including the New Granada Theater (formerly Pythian Temple) in the Hill District, originally designed for the Knights of Pythias. This building still stands and was added to the List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations on October 8, 2004, the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks in 2007, and the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 2010. In 1931, Bellinger designed Greenlee Field for Gus Greenlee, used by Negro league baseball teams. Other Pittsburgh designs by Bellinger include his and Ethel's duplex at 530 Francis St., apartment complexes on Centre Ave. and Wylie Ave., and remodelings of churches in Wilkinsburg and East Liberty.

In 1932, Bellinger ran as a Republican for United States Congress. The only black candidate (of five) on Pennsylvania's 32nd congressional district ballot, he was not elected.

In the late 1930s, Bellinger folded his private practice and for several years worked for the city as a building inspector. In 1945 and 1946, he created several new designs and remodels of public and private buildings.

Death and legacy Bellinger died of a cerebral hemorrhage on February 3, 1946. He is buried in Allegheny Cemetery. Dr. W. G. Cutts (1927), 1921 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished New Granada Theater (formerly Pythian Temple, c. 1927), Hill District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church (1927), 1409 Montier St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; "plans only" Ethel Bellinger House (1928), 530 Francis St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished Mutual Real Estate Company (1928), 2801 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Prince Hall Temple Association Lodge and Apartments (1928), 2611 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished John Ciaramella (1929), 5100 Second Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Rodman Street Baptist Church (1929), 6011 Rodman St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished Knott Apartments (1932), 2803 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished Greenlee Store (1933), 1401 Wylie Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished J. H. Crunkleton (1944), at Camp & Finland Streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; addition Iron City Lodge Post No. 17 (1945), 1847 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; demolished