History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 117

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884 > Part 117

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

St. Stephen's Church (admitted in 1823) .- This church, on Tenth Street above Chestnut, was organ- ized in 1822. A building, which had been used by St. Thomas' Methodist congregation, was purchased, and altered after plans by William Strickland, who designed its Gothic front. Joseph R. Ingersoll, Ed- ward Shippen Burd, Sheldon Potter, and others took an active interest in the undertaking. The corner- stone was laid May 30, 1822. A portion of the old church was used, but it was substantially a new structure. The Rev. Dr. James Montgomery became rector, and continued in charge until his death, in 1833. The Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, D.D., talented,

cheerful, and active, held the rectorship from 1834 until his death. The Rev. William Rudder, D.D., for some time Dr. Ducachet's assistant, succeeded him in the rectorship (1864-80). The present rector is the Rev. S. D. McConnell. The interior of this church is richly decorated, and it contains some memorial statuary of Mr. Burd's children, and the tomb of E. S. Burd, a munificent benefactor of the parish.

St. Stephen's Church is the trustee of the Burd Orphan Asylum for Children, a richly-endowed and well-conducted charity, and has for some years main- tained, wholly or in part, the church mission service for deaf mutes. The Rev. G. J. Burton, warden of the asylum, and the Rev. H. W. Syle, in charge of All Souls' Deaf Mute Mission, are assistant clergy in this parish. In 1883 St. Stephen's Church reported six hundred communicants; total expenditures, $40,700.53; value of church property, $850,000.

St. Andrew's Church (admitted 1823) .- This church, located on the west side of Eighth Street above Spruce, was organized in May, 1822. The first services were held in the Masonic Hall, and the Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell was the first rector. The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid on Sept. 9, 1822, and the church was completed and conse- crated by Bishop White on May 31, 1823. It is a large, substantial, and convenient building. The front is "one of the most perfect specimens of the Grecian Ionic order, taken from the temple of Bacchus, at Teos." Dr. Bedell died Aug. 30, 1834. The follow- ing clergy have been rectors : Rev. John A. Clark, D.D., Sept. 23, 1835, to February, 1843; Rev. Thomas March Clark, D.D., now Bishop of Rhode Island, Nov. 1, 1843, to May 1, 1847 ; Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D., now Bishop of Pennsylvania, Ang. 1, 1848, to Feb. 1, 1862. He was consecrated assistant bishop of Pennsylvania in St. Andrew's Church on Jan. 2, 1862. The present rector, the Rev. Wilbur Fisk Paddock, D.D., entered upon the charge June 3, 1862.

The parish is prosperous. It has sent out many members who have founded other parishes, and an unusually large number of those who became clergy- men have been connected with it. The interior of the church has recently been much improved. In 1883 it reported five hundred and fifty-three commu- nicants, an endowment fund of about $50,000, raised in the past fifteen years. Annual expenditures, $11,- 057.79; value of church property, 886,000.

St. Matthew's Church, Francisville (admitted 1825) .- St. Matthew's Church, at the northeast corner of Girard Avenue and Eighteenth Street, had its origin in services begun in 1822, through the aid and efforts of the Female Protestant Episcopal Associa- tion of Penn township. Francisville was the name given to an irregular tract of land near the Ridge road and Coates Street. The corner-stone of St. Matthew's Church was laid in its bounds on Oct. 17, 1822. Bishop White says it was " at the distance of about a mile from the city of Philadelphia, to the

1352

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

northwest." Among the rectors have been the fol- Jowing : Revs. Norman Nash, 1822; James Wiltbank, Jacob M. Douglass, George Emlen Hare, D.D., 1844 -62. During Dr. Hare's rectorship the present church and school-house, handsome stone buildings, were erected at the new site. Also the Rev. D. Otis Kel- logg, Rev. J. Houston Eccleston, D.D., and the pres- ent rector, the Rev. John P. Hubbard, who entered on the rectorship in December, 1880. In 1883 it re- ported having four hundred and nineteen communi- cants ; annual expenditures, 86806.92.

Grace Church (admitted 1827) .- In 1829 the Rev. Benjamin B. Smith (now the venerable presiding bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States) was rector of Grace Church, and in his report says, "This small edifice, after repairs, and being prepared very commodiously and neatly for di- vine service, was consecrated by Bishop White, Nov. 30, 1828." This building appears to have been in Penn township. On April 24, 1833, the corner-stone of the present building, at the southeast corner of Twelfth and Cherry Streets, was laid, the Rev. S. C. Brinckle being rector at the time. The Rev. William Sud- dards, D.D., became rector of Grace Church, Decem- ber, 1834, and at his resignation, in 1881, was made rector emeritus. He died Feb. 19, 1883. His tact and his great talent as a preacher made him, during his prolonged ministry, one of the most influential clergymen of the diocese. The Rev. J. W. Ashton was temporarily his assistant. The present rector, the Rev. Reese F. Alsop, D.D., took charge Oct. 16, 1881. Communicants, three hundred and forty- two; money expenditures and appropriations in 1883, $19,015.01.

St. Mary's Church, Hamiltonville, West Phila- delphia (admitted 1827) .- St. Mary's Church is on Locust Street, near Fortieth, in a part of the city once belonging to the Hamilton estate, and known as Hamiltonville. It was admitted in 1827, but ser- vices were held prior to that date. Various clergy- men officiated in this suburban village church, among them (1834-35) the Rev. Robert Piggott, rector of All Souls' Church, in the city, who also officiated sometimes at Mantua, adjacent to Hamiltonville, north of Market Street. The present rector, the Rev. Thomas C. Yarnall, D.D., took charge in 1844. The parish has grown to be quite a strong one, and a few years ago a handsome and costly stone church was built on the site of the old church. The parish has a rectory and Sunday-school building. The Rev. Robert F. Innes became Dr. Yarnall's assistant Jan. 1, 1881. The parish reported, in 1883, three hundred and thirty-eight communicants; money expenditures and appropriations, $9888.77.

St. David's Church, Manayunk (admitted 1833). -- St. David's Church originated in the suggestions of the Rev. Robert Davis. The Rev. Christain F. Cruse was the first pastor. The corner-stone of the church was laid Aug. 13, 1832, and the church was conse-

crated May 1, 1835. Among others, the Rev. Charles W. Quick and Rev. F. H. Bushnell have held the rectorship for considerable periods. The present rector is the Rev. Charles Logan. During his ministry the parish has erected a fine stone church, a beautiful parish and Sunday-school building, and also a mission chapel in the southern part of Manayunk. 1883,- communicants, three hundred and fourteen ; money expenditures and appropriations, $8349.68. Church wardens, Orlando Crease and Richard Hey.

Church of the Epiphany (admitted 1834) .- The I Church of the Epiphany, at the northwest corner of Fifteenth and Chestnut Streets, occupies one of the most valuable and eligible sites in the city. The parish was formed at first, to a great extent, of mem- bers of the St. Paul's Church, who followed their pastor, the Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., in this effort to extend the church work in Philadelphia. The church was consecrated by Bishop White on Oct. 1, 1834. It immediately became, what it has always been, a large and influential congregation. Dr. Tyng held the rectorship until his removal to New York in 1845. The following have been among the rectors who succeeded him : Rev. Mr. Fowles, Rev. Dudley A. Tyng, Rev. Mr. Cracraft, Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., and the present rector, the Rev. George H. Kinsolving, who took charge Oct. 17, 1881. The parish has a mission chapel at Twenty-third and Cherry Streets. A Monday noon meeting of the city clergy has been held in the lecture-room of the Church of the Epiphany for many years. 1883,-communicants, six hundred and thirteen; money expenditures and appropriations, $27,938.32; value of church property, $300,000.

Church of the Ascension (admitted 1837) .- The Church of the Ascension, on the south side of Lom- bard Street, above Eleventh, was consecrated Sept. 27, 1836. The Rev. John B. Clemson, D.D. (still living in the diocese), was its first rector, taking charge in the fall of 1835. The prospects of this new church were very bright for a while, but the erection of St. Luke's large church near by, and the vicinity of the Church of the Ascension becoming the place of residence of many colored persons affected it, and it has nearly always been a rather weak and struggling parish. For some years it was maintained by St. Luke's Church as a chapel, but is now an independent parish again. Among the numerous clergy who have had it in charge were the Rev. Frederick Ogilby, Rev. Samuel Cox, Rev. John A. Childs, D.D., and Rev. (now bishop) William H. Hare. Bishop Potter often attended the services when he wished only to worship, not officiate. The present rector, the Rev. G. Woolsey Hodge, took charge December, 1880. It is conducted now on the free church system, and has a surpliced choir.

Emmanuel Church, Kensington (admitted 1837). -Emmanuel Church, on Marlborough Street above Girard Avenue, was erected through the efforts of

1353

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

the Rev. Christian Wiltberger, the first pastor, and consecrated June 7, 1838. The Rev. J. Gordon Max- well succeeded him, entering on the rectorship while a deacon, and remaining until his death. During his prolonged ministry the church edifice was im- proved, and the congregation increased greatly in numbers. It has always been a useful and prosper- ous parish. The present rector is the Rev. N. L. Briggs. 1883,-communicants, three hundred ; money expenditures, §3680.06.

All Saints' Church, Moyamensing (admitted 1838) .- This parish seems to have been one of the results of several distinct efforts, made at about the same time, to extend the church in the southern part of the city. One mission was called All Saints', an- other St. Mark's, a third All Souls', and still another the Evangelist's. In the end the two parishes of All Saints' and the Evangelist were established, and the others given up. Some of the All Souls' congrega- tion joined the Church of the Ascension. All Saints' Church is on Twelfth Street below Fitzwater, and is a fine stone church, with good Sunday-school accom- modations. The parish owns a parsonage. The Rev. Thomas H. Quinan, Rev. Henry E. Montgomery, Rev. John P. Lundy, D.D., Rev. Thomas K. Conrad, D.D., and Rev. George Bringhurst have been among its rectors. The present rector is the Rev. H. L. Duhring. 1883,-communicants, four hundred and fifty ; money expenditures, $8153.10.

once sold for thirty-five thousand dollars. The and appropriations, 88967.61. It has no debt, and

St. Luke's Church (admitted 1839) .- The corner- stone of St. Luke's Church, one of the largest churches in the city, on Thirteenth Street above Pine, was laid by Bishop Onderdonk, on May 24, 1839, and the church was opened Oct. 18, 1840. The means for erecting it were advanced by seventeen gentlemen belonging to seven of the city churches, and were in part refunded by the sale of the pews, sixty-seven of which were at church, with ground, organ, and furniture, cost fifty- eight thousand dollars. The Rev. W. W. Spear was the first rector. On his resignation in 1846 he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. M. A. DeWolfe Howe, D.D., who remained until his consecration as Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, which took place in St. Luke's Church, Dec. 28, 1871. He was followed by the present rector, the Rev. C. George Currie, D.D. A few years ago a fine chapel and parish building was erected adjoining the church, and the interior of the church much im- proved. It has a rectory and a Home for Aged Women. 1883,-communicants, six hundred and fifty ; expenditures and appropriations, about $20,- 000; value of church property, $175,000. Church wardens, George L. Harrison and Andrew Wheeler.

St. Philip's Church, Spring Garden (admitted 1841) .- This church, now located on the north side of Spring Garden Street below Broad, was originally located on the north side of Vine Street below Eighth. The church was consecrated on Oct. 1, 1841, and regular services began in it on the following Sunday.

The Rev. Edmund Neville, 1841-49, was the first rector. The following have been among the rectors : Rev. Charles D. Cooper, 1849-68 ; Rev. Dr. Pratt, Rev. Percy Browne, and Rev. W. F. Chesley Morsell, 1879 -82. During Mr. Cooper's pastorate the confirma- tion classes were very large, and many members of the Friends joined his church. During Mr. Morsell's pastorate the church at Eighth and Vine Streets and a chapel on Ninth Street were sold, the old church being devoted to business purposes by the purchasers, and the congregation, still retaining the name of St. Philip's Church, removed and took pos- session of the present building, then called the Church of the Advocate, which was heavily incum- bered with debt. The two congregations were merged into one, and the debt on this property some- what reduced. This building was first known as the Church of the Intercessor, Rev. R. A. Carden, rector, 1859; then as the Bishop's Church, Rev. J. W. Bon- ham and Rev. E. Owen Simpson, rectors; then as the Church of the Advocate, Rev. John W. Claxton, D.D., rector ; and now as St. Philip's Church. It is at present without a rector.

Church of the Advent (admitted 1842). - The Rev. John J. Kerr was the first rector (1841 to 1848). The congregation began worshiping in the Commis- sioners' Hall, Northern Liberties, and organized there on Nov. 27, 1840. Afterward they rented and used Temperance Hall, nearly opposite. The corner-stone of the present church at York Avenue and Buttonwood Street was laid May 13, 1844, and the church con- secrated by Bishop Alfred Lee, on June 28, 1845. The Rev. Samuel A. Clark, Rev. Phillips Brooks, and Rev. John W. Claxton have been among its rectors. The present rector is the Rev. James F. Powers. The church is quite prosperous. In 1883 it reports com- municants, three hundred and sixty ; expenditures has begun an endowment fund which already amounts to about five thousand dollars.

Church of the Evangelists (admitted 1842) .- The services of the Mission Church of the Evangel- ists began March 12, 1837. The Rev. N. Sayres Har- ris, first rector, took charge June 1, 1837. Services were held in a rented building until a small church on Fifth Street, above Catharine, was purchased, al- tered, and consecrated April 14, 1839. The Revs. Quinan, Woodward, and Huckel followed as rectors. The Rev. Samuel Durborow was rector from April 1, 1855, nntil May 1, 1870, when he resigned to become superintendent of the Philadelphia Protestant Epis- copal City Mission. During his rectorship the old church was sold, the corner-stone of the present edi- fice, a fine, large brick church, with spire, on Catha- rine Street above Seventh, was laid May 1, 1856, and the building completed in the following year. It was consecrated by Bishop Potter on Dec. 18, 1864, it being the last church consecrated by him in this diocese. During Mr. Durborow's pastorate the congregation

1354

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

was quite a large one. The Rev. Jacob Miller and the Rev. Thomas L. Franklin, D.D., followed as rec- tors. The present rector, the Rev. R. Percival, took charge Sept. 12, 1880. A considerable debt had ac- cumulated on the church, after its consecration, prior to his ministry. He has introduced daily services and a surpliced choir. Number of communicants reported in 1883, two hundred and thirty.

Emmanuel Church, Holmesburg (admitted 1844). -Services, in a chapel at Holmesburg, were held by

Rev. Dr. Beas- ley, rector of All CHURCH OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. Saints' Church, Lower Dublin, of whose parish it formed a part, until Jan. 1, 1844, when Emmanuel Church, Holmesburg, was set off as a separate parish, and the Rev. William H. Bonrns became its rector. The Rev. George G. Field and Rev. John P. Lundy, D.D., have been among its rectors. The present rector, the Rev. D. C. Millett, D.D., took charge in September, 1864. The parish has become a very prosperous one, and is admirably supplied with a fine church, a beautiful parish build- ing built in 1879, a rectory, and a cemetery. The chapel, built at Tacony, was under its care for some

years after its erection, but is now an independent parish. 1883, -communicants, one hundred and thirty-nine ; expenditures, 83492.31. Church war- dens, Andreas Hartel and Joseph H. Brown.

Church of the Nativity, Spring Garden (ad- mitted 1845) .- The Church of the Nativity, at the northwest corner of Mount Vernon and Eleventh Streets, was consecrated by Bishop Potter on Sept. 24, 1846. The Rev. N. Sayres Harris, the first rector, took charge Aug. 1, 1845. The Rev. Robert C. Matlack, D.D., was for many years rector, and was followed by Revs. William Newton and W. H. Lewis. The present rector is the Rev. Wil- liam M. Jefferis, who took charge Dec. 3, 1882. 1883,-com- municants, two hun- dred and four; the money expendi- tures were 84610.76. Church wardens, Charles H. Bright- ley and John E. Baird.

Church of St. James the Less, Falls of Schuyl- kill (admitted 1846). -- This is a beautiful little Gothic edifice. It has a rectory, par- ish building, and a 44 large burial-ground. The first rector was the Rev. David H. Macurdy, who took charge Aug. 6, 1846. The church was erected in 1847. Among its rectors have been the Revs. Christopher B. Wyatt, J. P. Hammond, and E. Shippen Watson. The present rector, the Rev. Robert Ritchie, took charge in 1870. Church wardens, George Blight and Ellis Yarnall.

Church of the Redemption, Spring Garden (ad- mitted 1846) .- The first services were held on March 30, 1845, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Ducachet. The corner-stone of the present church, at the northwest corner of Twenty-second and Cal- lowhill Streets, was laid March 6, 1846, and the church completed soon after. It has since been en- larged and improved. The mission was placed in charge of the Rev. George A. Durborow, then a can- didate for holy orders, and after his ordination he was its faithful aud devoted rector until his death, April 27, 1869. He was followed by the Rev. J. P.

1355

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

Du Hamel, D.D. The present rector is the Rev. Thomas R. List, who took charge about eight years ago. The parish has a rectory. 1883,-communi- cants, two hundred and sixty ; expenditures, $4623.35. Church wardens, Alexander Crow and Thomas Bu- chanan.

St. Mark's Church, Frankford (admitted 1846). -St. Mark's Church, a fine building, enlarged and improved since its erection, was built in 1846, and consecrated on October 22d of that year. The first rector was the Rev. Henry S. Spackman. The Rev. Daniel S. Miller, D.D., was rector of St. Mark's Church for twenty eight years (1853-81), and during this period the parish was distinguished for its thor- ongh organization and the vast amount of lay work performed by William Welsh, Esq., and others. John Clayton was an efficient member of the parish and rector's warden for twenty-five years. The present rector, the Rev. Robert C. Booth, was Dr. Miller's assistant for a year or two, and on his resignation was elected to the rectorship May 1, 1881. 1883,-com- municants, eleven hundred and twelve ; expenditures and appropriations, $10,702.57. Church wardens, Harvey Rowland, Jr., and Benjamin Rowland. The | Rev. Samuel Tweedale (deacon) has for many years been assistant minister in the parish.

Church of the Crucifixion, Moyamensing (ad- mitted 1847) .- This church was begnn as a church mission to the poor, especially colored people, living in the most degraded part of the city,-Bedford and Baker Streets. Rev. Edward C. Jones and Rev. O. E. Shannon were the earlier missionaries. A church was built about 1851 on Eighth Street near Shippen. Rev. George Bringhurst was missionary for a number of years. During his rectorship white people at- tended largely, but few colored, and when he became rector of All Saints' Church, he took the whites along with him. The Rev. Joseph R. Moore for about ten years did an excellent work among the colored poor, and founded the Home for the Homeless. The present rector, Rev. Henry L. Phillips (colored), is doing his work with great fidelity. To give better accommodations, a new church and mission building will be erected on Bainbridge Street above Eighth, at a cost of about twenty-five thousand dollars. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Stevens on Oct. 22, 1883, and the buildings are now being erected.

Church of the Messiah, Port Richmond (ad- mitted 1847) .- The corner stone of the Church of the Messiah, at the corner of East Huntingdon and Edge- mont Streets, Port Richmond, was laid on June 28, 1847, and the church, a neat stone edifice, seating about four hundred persons, was opened on Easter Day, 1848. The first rector was the Rev. Sammel Hazlehurst. When the enterprise was first under- taken, it was supposed that the vicinity would in a short time be occupied hy gentlemen's private resi- dences, but the erection of chemical works and fac- tories near by led this class to locate elsewhere.

Though the parish has a good church building and a comfortable parsonage, it has never acquired much strength. Rev. Reese C. Evans, Rev. Jacob Miller, and Rev. L. N. Voight have been among its rectors. Rev. E. D. Widdemer, the present rector, took charge April 24, 1883.

Church of the Atonement (admitted 1847) .- The first services were held in the fall of 1847, in the Wills Hospital, until the completion and opening of the present church, at Seventeenth and Summer Streets, on the first Sunday in Advent, 1847. The first rector was the Rev. Kingston Goddard, D.D. The present rector, Rev. Benjamin Watson, D.D., entered upon his duties in 1859. Recently the interior of the church has been altered and improved. 1883,-com- municants, three hundred and eleven ; expenditures, $7113.83. Church wardens, William C. Houston and William Hill.

St. Mark's Church (admitted 1848) .- St. Mark's Church, on Locust Street, west of Sixteenth, is in some respects the finest church building in the city. It is of brown stone, with a stone spire, and has a fine school building. The corner-stone was laid April 25, 1848, and the church finished and consecrated on May 21, 1849. The Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer, D.D., afterward Bishop of Louisiana, was the first rector. The Rev. Walter Mitchell, Rev. E. A. Washburne, D.D., and Rev. E. A. Hoffman, D.D. (now dean of the General Theological Seminary), followed as rectors. The present rector, the Rev. Isaac L. Nicholson, D.D., entered on his duties in 1880. The parish is a strong and active one. It has a rectory, and also a building nsed by St. Mark's Workingmen's Club. The daily prayers have been said in the church since its erec- tion, and it has now a surpliced choir, and numerous celebrations. 1883,-communicants, nine hundred and ten ; expenditures, $34,030.60 ; value of church prop- erty, §280,000. Church wardens, Ernest Zantzinger and William B. Robins.

Church of the Mediator (admitted 1848) .- The Rev. Samnel A. Clark, while a deacon, organized this mission congregation. The Rev. John A. Vaughan, D.D., took charge of the parish in Jan- uary, 1848, and soon after the present church was built, at the northwest corner of Nineteenth and Lombard Streets. Rev. Dr. W. W. Spear was rector for several years. The present rector, the Rev. Samnel E. Appleton, D.D., took charge in 1860. The parish has been a very useful one, and steadily grown in strength and numbers. It has now a fine Sunday- school and parish building adjoining the church. 1883,-communicants, four hundred and forty ; ex- penditures, 88714.04.

St. Jude's Church, Spring Garden admitted 1848) .- The Rev. Daniel S. Miller, D.D., imme- diately after his ordination, on Oct. 28, 1847, organized this congregation under the name of St. Jude's Church, and soon after the present church, on Frank- lin Street, above Brown, was built. It has within a

1356

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

few years been enlarged, and has a parish building in the rear. The Rev. Edward Lounsbery was for some years rector. The present rector, the Rev. W. H. Graff, has been in charge about thirteen years. It is conducted on the free church system. 1883,-com- municants, two hundred and ninety-two; expendi- tures, $5873.03.

Zion Church, Penn Township (admitted 1849), - This congregation was organized by the Rev. Jacob M. Douglass in the fall of 1848. Zion Church, at Eighth Street and Columbia Avenue, was built about 1857. The lot was donated by Benjamin W. Frazier. A parish building has been added to the church within the last few years. The preseut rector, the Rev. William R. Carroll, has been in charge nearly ten years. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and seventy-seven ; expenditures, $3505.07.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 117

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992