History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 118

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

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Church of the Resurrection, Rising Sun (ad- mitted 1850) .- This congregation was organized, in 1849, by the Rev. Thomas J. Davis, who still remains connected with it as rector emeritus. The Church of the Resurrection, on North Broad Street, in the old vil- lage of Rising Sun, was built in 1853. The Rev. Jo- seph R. Moore, on Sept. 1, 1870, became rector of the newly-organized parish of St. George's Church, Ken- derton, about a mile from the Church of the Resur- rection, and on April 1, 1871, the two parishes were united under the Rev. Mr. Moore, Rev. Mr. Davis becoming rector emeritus. The church work has been greatly developed, and the parish is quite flourishing. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and ninety-six ; expenditures, $3097.20.

St. Andrew's Church, West Philadelphia (ad- mitted 1852). - A building named St. Mark's Church was erected in 1819, at the corner of Thirty-sixth and Sycamore Streets, in what was then termed the village of Mantna. The Rev. James Montgomery, afterward rector of St. Stephen's Church, was the rector for a short time. After his resignation the building was unused, was sold by the sheriff, and finally burned by incendiaries. The Rev. George W. Natt, whom many still living remember with affection for his many virtues, in 1851 organized St. Andrew's Parish, bought the lot with the ruined walls of St. Mark's still standing on it, and built a church and rectory. The Rev. Samuel E. Smith be- came rector in 1863, and in 1865 the property was sold, and a new church erected on the present site, Thirty-sixth and Baring Streets. This neighborhood was rapidly filling up with fine residences, and the parish has grown steadily. At present the erection of a new and still larger church has been begun. Rev. Dr. R. Bethell Claxton was rector until his death in May, 1882. The present rector is the Rev. Charles W. Duane, who took charge in 1882. 1883,-commu- nicants, three hundred and twenty-five; receipts, $11,707.36.

had charge of this congregation in its earlier stages, about 1853. In 1855 the Rev. Henry W. Woods be- came its rector, and the present Church of the Sa- viour, a handsome brown-stone building, was built on Thirty-eighth Street, above Chestnut, in 1856. The Rev. 1Ienry A. Wise, Jr., was rector prior to 1861. Rev. J. Houston Eccleston, D.D., was rector for a number of years, and the present rector, the Rev. W. H. Meade, D.D., took charge in April, 1883.

Christ Church, Germantown (admitted 1853) .- The Rev. Addison B. Atkins, D.D., was the first rec- tor of this parish, and took charge in July, 1854. A fine church was soon after completed. Eight or ten years ago, by a terrific tornado, this church was greatly damaged. The present costly and beautiful church aud school building were then erected. The Rev. John B. Falkner, D.D., is rector. 1883,-com- municants, two hundred and thirty ; expenditures, $11,627.78. During the year a new tower was added to the church.

Trinity Church, Maylandville, West Philadel- phia (admitted 1853) .- The Rev. H. W. Woods had charge of the earlier services of Trinity Church, Maylandville, conjointly with the rectorship of the Church of the Saviour, West Philadelphia, and in after-years it was for some time supported by the latter parish. The present rector, Rev. Richard N. Thomas, has been in charge for about three years. A new and larger church was erected at Forty-second Street and Baltimore Avenue, and opened for services on March 11, 1882. Church wardens, William A. Sloan and Allen Childs.

St. Clement's Church (admitted 1855) .- This church, at Twentieth and Cherry Streets, was erected in 1858-59, the Rev. Henry S. Spackman, D.D., being its first rector. It is a very beautiful stone edifice, and has a splendid parish building in the rear. The church tower was deemed unsafe and was taken down. The Revs. H. G. Batterson, D.D., W. H. N. Stewart, D.D., Theodore M. Riley, and O. S. Prescott, D.D., have been among the rectors. St. Clement's Church has the most " advanced ritual" of any parish in the city, and there has been considerable litigation in the civil courts and debate in the ecclesiastical tribunals in efforts to direct or control it. At present, after a pledge by the rector to give up certain cere- monies at the bishop's request, all its diocesan re- lations are harmonions. The Rev. B. W. Maturin is rector, and has several assistants. Some of its clergy are connected with one of the English orders (St. John's, Cowley, we believe). It has a clergy-house and is about introducing a sisterhood. The services are largely attended. 1883,-communicants, six hun- dred and fifteen; expenditures, $15,673.98. Church wardens, Henry Flanders and B. F. Holl.

St. Paul's Church, Chestnut Hill (admitted 1856). -This parish was organized in June, 1855, and a beautiful Gothic church was erected in 1856. The

Church of the Saviour, West Philadelphia (admitted 1852) .-- The Rev. Heman Leyer, D.D., Rev. Alexander Shiras, D.D., was the first rector.

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The Rev. William Hobart Hare, now Bishop of Southern Dakota, was rector for several years. The present rector, the Rev. John Andrews Harris, D.D., has been connected with the parish since 1864. It is exceedingly prosperous. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and thirty-seven ; expenditures, $11,108.20. Church wardens, Edward S. Buckley and Richard C. McMurtrie.

Church of the Holy Trinity (admitted 1857) .- This church, at Nineteenth and Walnut Streets, is in many respects the most prominent and influential parish in Philadelphia. Erected just when the west- ern part of Walnut, Spruce, and neighboring streets began to be built up with fine residences, it has always had a large congregation, comprising many of the most prominent laity in the city. The church, which has a fine parish building connected with it, was built in 1858, and in 1883 received some considerable improvements. A fine chime of bells was recently placed in the tower, being a gift from Mr. Joseph E. Temple. The first rector was the Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, D.D. He was succeeded by the Rev. Phillips Brooks, D.D., and the Rev. Thomas A. Jaggar, D.D., now Bishop of Southern Ohio, who was conse- crated in this church on April 28, 1875. The present rector, the Rev. W. Neilson McVickar, D.D., took charge in 1875. Holy Trinity Memorial Chapel, noticed below, is connected with this parish. 1883, -communicants, nine hundred and twenty-five ; contributions, 861,728.33 ; value of church property, $400,000. Church wardens, Alexander Brown and Lemuel Coffin.

HOLY TRINITY MEMORIAL CHAPEL .- A plain church, built about 1859, and known as Cranmer Chapel, located near the Church of the Holy Trinity, unable to be self-sustaining, was taken by the parish and renamed Trinity Chapel. About ten years ago, to give enlarged accommodations, the chapel was sold, to be used as a public school, and with the proceeds enlarged by generous donations, and one special gift of fifty thousand dollars from Mrs. Wilstach as a memorial of a deceased daughter, the present beauti- ful church and parish building, at Twenty-second and Spruce Streets, were erected. The school building is a memorial to John Bohlen, Esq., long an active and generous member of the parish. This work has been under the care of the following assistant ministers : Rev. H. L. Duhring, Rev. R. N. Thomas, Rev. R. A. Edwards, and Rev. George F. Bugbee, who is the present minister in charge (1883). The Memorial Chapel reports,-communicants, four hundred aud twenty-five; receipts, $4170.59.

Calvary (Monumental) Church, West Phila- delphia (admitted 1857). - Calvary Church was erected as a memorial of Bishop White, chiefly by the efforts of the Ladies' Missionary Association of Christ Church, which collected funds for the building, and for some years supported the missionary. The corner- stone was laid on April 4, 1851, and the church and a

Sunday-school building erected soon after. The first rector was the Rev. Joseph H. Smith. Revs. A. Christman, Charles R. Bonnell, and Francis J. Clere, D.D., have been among the rectors. The location at Front and Margaretta Streets becoming unsuitable, the ground was sold, the last service held on April 23, 1882, and the building, a beautifully proportioned stone chapel, taken down and re-erected in its original form, on a lot which had been purchased on Forty- first Street, above Oregon, West Philadelphia. The Rev. Thomas P. Hutchinson has had charge of Cal- vary Church for some years. 1883,-communicants, forty-nine. Church wardens, William P. Troth, Jr., and George B. Bonnell.

Church of the Covenant (admitted 1858) .- This church was organized by the Rev. Dudley A. Tyng, after his resignation of the Church of the Epiphany, and for several years popular services were held in Con- cert Hall, on Chestnut Street. After Mr. Tyng's sud- den death the Rev. B. T. Noakes became rector, and the corner-stone of the present Church of the Covenant, on Filbert Street, above Seventeenth, was laid on April 22, 1861, and the building was soon after com- pleted. The Rev. Charles E. Murray was rector for a number of years, but about two years ago, upon the completion of the Pennsylvania Railroad (elevated road) in front of the church, it was feared that the church would have to be abandoned and he resigned. Soon after the Rev. Dr. Richard Newton took charge of the services as rector, and the Rev. Dr. Daniel S. Miller voluntarily became his assistant. The services are largely attended. 1883,-communicants, three hundred and fifty ; expenditures, 86804.16.

Church of St. John the Baptist, Germantown (admitted 1858) .- The Rev. William N. Diehl was the first rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist, erected on Germantown Avenue, near Mehl Street, and this amiable and esteemed clergyman held the charge until his death. The present rector, the Rev. Charles H. Hibbard, took charge Dec. 1, 1882.

Calvary Church, Germantown (admitted 1859). -Calvary Church, at Manheim and Pulaski Avenue, was erected in 1859-60. The Rev. Thomas K. Con- rad, D.D., was the first rector. The present rector, the Rev. J. De Wolfe Perry, has been in charge since 1864. It has a fine school building and a rectory. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and forty; ex- penditures, $7373.88.

Church of St. Matthias, Spring Garden (ad- mitted 1859) .- This parish was organized in 1856. First services held in a hall. A large lot, on which the present stately church stands, at the corner of Nineteenth and Wallace Streets, being a portion of the land occupied by the City Hospital, was pur- chased, and a chapel built in 1859. Rev. R. A. Car- den, Rev. R. G. Chase, and Rev. R. F. Chase were rectors. In 1870 the Rev. Richard N. Thomas became rector, the church was built, and the parish became so strong that in some respects it stood fifth in im-

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portance among the city churches. The Rev. Robert A. Edwards, the present, rector, took charge Jan. 1, 1879. 1883,-communicants, four hundred and fifty ; receipts, $16,363.79.

Church of the Incarnation (admitted 1860) .- A congregation named the Church of the Holy Apos- tles was organized in January, 1856. The Rev. B. Franklin was the first minister, and a large lot at the corner of Broad and Jefferson Streets was taken up, and a chapel built. It became involved, and in 1860 was reorganized under the name of the Church of the Incarnation, the present rector, the Rev. Joseph D. Newlin, then assistant in St. Mark's Church, be- coming rector of the new parish. The present church, a beautiful and costly building, was built some years after. The parish is strong and flourishing. 1883,- communicants, four hundred and fifty ; receipts, $18,909.68.

Church of St. John the Evangelist (admitted 1860) .- A mission, called the Boone Street Mission, was begun by the Rev. George A. Latimer in about 1855. In June, 1859, the Rev. Washington B. Erben, upon his ordination, took charge of the congregation then worshiping in the old Shiffler Hose Hall, organ- ized the parish of St. John the Evangelist's Church, and built a small chapel on Reed Street above Second. The Rev. Charles L. Fischer became rector, and the present church at Third and Reed Streets was built. Rev. W. F. B. Jackson and Rev. John G. Bawn were rectors. The present rector, Rev. J. Edgar Johnson, has had charge about six years. The church is at present largely assisted by George L. Harrison, Esq. 1883,-communicants, two hundred and eighty; re- ceipts, 86561.95.

St. Michael's Church, Germantown (admitted 1860) .- The Rev. J. Pinckney Hammond, in 1858, became rector of a newly-organized parish in Ger- mantown, and the corner-stone of the Church of the Holy Cross was laid, addresses being made by Bishops Bowman and Doane. The erection of Calvary Church, in the same vicinity, led to the abandonment of the location, and Mr. Hammond organized St. Michael's Church. A beautiful little church was built on High Street, and opened on St. Michael's Day, 1859. It has always been conducted on the free church plan. The present rector, Rev. John K. Murphy, took charge in 1869. The parish has now a parsonage and a school building, and is quite successful. 1883,-communi- cants, two hundred and eight ; offerings, 84432.34.

Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician, Bus- tleton (admitted 1861) .- The memorial Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician was erected, and for some years largely supported, by Mrs. Pauline Henry, as a memorial to her husband, Dr. Bernard Henry. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 19, 1860. The first rector was the Rev. Leighton Coleman. The present rector is the Rev. Samuel F. Hotchkin. 1883, --- communicants, eighty-one.

1861) .- The House of Prayer was built about twenty years ago. The Rev. T. Gardiner Littell was its first rector. Present rector, Rev. George Bringhurst. 1883,-communicants, ninety.

St. Timothy's Church, Roxborough (admitted 1861) .- This is one of the wealthiest and best-ap- pointed parishes in the vicinity of Philadelphia. In connection with its parish work it has a very suc- cessful Workingmen's Club. The parish was or- ganized at Advent, 1859. The Rev. John Leighton McKim was the first rector. Until the erection of the church, in 1862, the church services were held in an old building erected in 1746, once a tavern, but known in the neighborhood then as the old poor- house. The present rector is the Rev. Robert E. Dennison. 1883,-communicants, three hundred and four ; expenditures, $7506.74. Church wardens, J. Vaughan Merrick and William Penn Stroud.

St. Albans Church, Roxborough (admitted 1862) .- The present rector of St. Albans Church is the Rev. J. J. Joyce Moore. 1883,-communicants, sixty-seven ; expenditures, $1803.95.

Grace Church, Mount Airy (admitted 1862) .-- Grace Church is a neat edifice, and the parish has a parsonage. The Rev. Robert A. Edwards was rector for some years. The present rector, Rev. Simeon C. Hill, has been in charge about ten years. 1883,- communicants, one hundred and fourteen ; expendi- tures, $3602.96. Church wardens, F. B. Gowen and C. M. Bayard.

Free Church of St. John, Frankford Road (ad- mitted 1864) .- The Rev. George Boyd, D.D., left a lot for church uses on Cemetery Avenue near Frank- ford road, and on it a very pretty little church was built about twenty years ago. Among the clergy who have had charge of it were the Rev. Dr. George P. Schetky, Rev. Charles R. Bonnell, Rev. Joseph A. Nock, and Rev. John G. Bawn. For some years the City Missions supplied it with clerical services. Present rector, Rev. H. A. F. Hoyt. 1883,-commu- nicants, one hundred and fifteen ; receipts, 81723.96.

St. James' Church, Hestonville (admitted 1867). --- This is a neat stone church erected about 1868, at Fifty-second Street and Kershaw Avenue, West Philadelphia. The Rev. T. William Davidson is the present rector. 1883, - communicants, fifty-nine; receipts, 81147.73.

Church of the Holy Apostles (admitted 1868) .- The present rector of the Church of the Holy A pos- tles, the Rev. Charles D. Cooper, on resigning the rectorship of St. Philip's Church, took charge of this new enterprise in the southwestern part of the city, and in 1870 a fine church was built at Twenty-first and Christian Streets, to which a large and beautiful Sunday-school building has since been added. The parish is quite a successful one. The Sunday-school, under the superintendence of George C. Thomas, is the largest in the city. 1883,-communicants,

The House of Prayer, Branchtown (admitted | four hundred and ninety ; Sunday-school scholars

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and teachers, one thousand and twenty-eight ; ex- penditures, $9455.09. Church wardens, George C. Thomas and Lewis H. Redner.

Church of the Good Shepherd (admitted 1869). -This is a small edifice on Cumberland Street east of Frankford Avenue, built abont ten years ago. The Rev. A. A. Rickert was the first minister in charge. Rev. John A. Goodfellow is the present rector. 1883, - communicants, one hundred and forty-five; receipts, $5231.95.

St. Stephen's Church, Bridesburg (admitted 1869) .- This church was built about 1870. St. Mark's Church, Frankford, previously maintained a mission service here, which developed into this church. Wil- liam Welsh, Esq., took a generous interest in the movement. It has no rector at present. 1883,-com- municants, ninety-eight.

Church of the Holy Innocents, Tacony (admitted 1869) .- This pretty little chapel was at first a mission of Emmanuel Church, Holmesburg, which began the services in 1867. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 29, 1868.

Church of the Messiah (admitted 1870) .- This church, at Broad and Federal Streets, grew out of a mission established by St. Andrew's Church, which built a small chapel for it on Thirteenth Street below Washington Avenne in 1861. The Rev. George Bringhurst took charge, organized the parish, a large lot at Broad and Federal Streets was taken on ground rent, and the present Church of the Messiah built in 1871, at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars. After Mr. Bringhurst's resignation, in 1875, the parish being heavily encumbered, the Rev. Mr. Durborow, of the City Mission, obtained a pledge from about twenty prominent laymen to pay the annnal interest for five years, dividing the amount between them. Thus relieved, the Rev. F. H. Bushnell, who became rector in 1877, has nearly succeeded in clearing this valuable property of debt. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and ninety ; receipts, 84376.70.

St. George's Church, Kenderton (admitted 1870). -The rector of the Church of the Resurrection, Rising Sun, Rev. Joseph R. Moore, is also rector of this chapel, and holds occasional services.

St. Paul's Church, Aramingo (admitted 1870) .- This chapel, built recently as a memorial of William Welsh, on Kensington Avenue, near Bockius Street, was at first a mission of St. Mark's Church, Frank- ford. The Rev. Henry E. Cooke is at present its rector. $3139.96.

St. George's Church, West Philadelphia (ad- mitted 1870) .- This is a small stone church, at Hazel Avenue, near Sixty-first Street, West Philadelphia, near the village of Cardington, built about ten years ago. The services held in it are at present under the charge of the Rev. G. J. Burton, warden of the neigh- boring Burd Orphan Asylum, who also holds the rectorship of this parish.

St. Timothy's Church (admitted 1871 .- This church is on Reed Street, below Eighth. The build- ing was erected in 1856, the Rev. William C. Cooley being the first rector. The parish was originally or- ganized as the Church of our Saviour, but in 1870 it was reorganized, and the name changed to the Church of St. Timothy. The present rector is the Rev. Robert T. Roche, D.D. 1883,-communicants, seventy-five; receipts, 81561.28.

St. Sauveur's (French) Church (admitted 1872). -This congregation was begun in 1871, and for some years it was aided by the Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission. It now occupies a chapel in the French Academy building, Twenty-first Street, above Chestnut. It is thoroughly organized, and does a large missionary and parochial work in its special field. It has all the time been in charge of the Rev. C. F. B. Miel, formerly the Abbé Miel, a distin- gnished and eloquent priest of the Roman Catholic Church, and one of the preachers at the Madelaine, in Paris, who was canonically received into the min- istry of the Protestant Episcopal Church by Bishop Stevens in June, 1871. 1883,-communicants, ninety ; expenditures, $2745.70.

Church of the Annunciation (admitted 1872) .- This parish at present occupies a temporary but rather pretty frame chapel at Norris and Camac Streets, erected in 1871 for the Church of Our Mer- ciful Saviour. This parish was organized by the City Mission, the Rev. E. S. Widdemer and Rev. J. W. Ashton being rectors. A few years ago the pres- ent rector, the Rev. H. G. Batterson, D.D., took charge, and the name was changed to the Church of the Annunciation. There is now a surpliced choir and frequent services. The erection of a new church is contemplated. 1883,-communicants, two hundred and eighty ; expenditures, 84337.89.

Church of the Beloved Disciple (admitted 1874). -The first efforts which resulted in the organization of this parish were made by the Rev. Dr. A. Louder- back, the mission being called Holy Innocents. The name was changed to the Church of the Be- loved Disciple, and the present building, on Colum- bia Avenue, above Twentieth Street, erected about ten years ago. Rev. John P. Du Hamel, D.D., is the present rector. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and ninety-two; receipts, 85189.64.

1883,-communicants, eighty-two; receipts, Streets, was built by a congregation composed to a

St. Peter's Church, Germantown (admitted 1874). -St. Peter's Church, corner of Wayne and Harvey large extent of members of Christ Church, German- town, who, with the Rev. Theodore S. Rumney, D.D., then rector of Christ Church, withdrew and formed St. Peter's parish. The buildings, comprising a church and school-house, are very fine, and the parish is thoroughly organized. Dr. Rumney is still the rector. 1883,-communicants, two hundred and sixty-six ; expenditures, 813,106.14. Church wardens, Henry | H. Houston and Edmund A. Crenshaw.

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Church of the Holy Comforter, West Philadel- phia (admitted 1875) .- This church, at Forty-eighth Street and Haverford Avenue, is a neat stone building, and was erected about ten years ago. For several years it was aided by the Church of the Saviour, and the Rev. Joseph A. Stone was the first pastor. The Rev. H. Morton Reed, who recently resigned to accept another charge, was rector for some years, and during his ministry the church was improved and a school- house built. 1883,-communicants, two hundred and fifty-three; receipts, $3001.60.

Church of the Transfiguration (admitted 1875). -For several years prior to 1878 church services were held in a frame church which stood over the tunnel of the Pennsylvania Railroad, on the south side of Chestnut Street, at Thirty-second Street. In 1877 the Rev. Thomas K. Conrad, D.D., accepted the rectorship, and the present Church of the Trans- figuration, at Woodland Avenue and Walnut Street, West Philadelphia, was built and opened in January, 1878. 1883,-communicants, ninety-eight; expendi- tures, $5281.91 ; value of church property, $26,000.

Church of St. Ambrose (admitted 1881) .- This congregation has a small church on Twenty-eighth Street, above Girard Avenue. Rev. William M. Har- rison is rector. 1883,-communicants, one hundred and thirty-three; expenditures, $1758.03.

Gloria Dei ( Old Swedes) Church will be found at the beginning of this chapter, under the head of the Swedish Church. It was admitted into union with the Non-Parochial Churches Convention in 1845.

St. Barnabas Church, Haddington. - This church, on Sixty-fifth Street near Hamilton, West Philadelphia, is under the City Mission. It was built in 1872. The Rev. John G. Bawn has been in charge for some years. Recently it was freed from all debt, and a comfortable rectory built.

Christ Church, Franklinville .- This church, at Sixth and Venango Streets, was built about seven years ago by the City Mission. The services are in charge of the Rev. Thomas J. Taylor.

Church of the Redeemer (Seamen's Mission) .- This mission has a fine church and a mission building at the corner of Front and Queen Streets. It is sup- ported by the Churchmen's Missionary Association for Seamen. Rev. Benjamin H. Latrobe, missionary.

St. Chrysostom's Church .- This is a small chapel near Twenty-eighth Street and Susquehanna Avenue, recently built. The Rev. Charles S. Daniel is in charge.

All Souls' Mission for Deaf Mutes .- Regular church services are held in the sigu language for an organized congregation of deaf mutes by the Rev. H. W. Syle, who is himself a deaf mute, in the parish building of St. Stephen's Church, Tenth Street above Chestnut.

St. Barnabas' Mission .- This mission has a very convenient church at Third and Dauphin Streets. It was built about six years ago, to provide additional

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 118

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