History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 147

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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The affairs of the corporation in Pennsylvania

1481

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.

have been so judiciously managed, and its resources ' providing for the continuation of a Board of Council so carefully husbanded, that it has now au accumu- for City Missions, who should carry forward all benefi- cent enterprises in the city, unconnected with paro- chial organizations, and report to the Board of Mis- sions. This plan remains unchanged. In April, 1877, the City Mission was incorporated, with the title "Trustees of the Real and Personal Property of the Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mis- sion." There are five trustees, appointed by the Con- vention. lated fund of about three hundred thousand dollars. It insures the lives of church clergymen in the dio- cese, receives deposits from them, and sells annuities for their widows and children. It has been generous in its aid to those who came properly within the range of its benefactions, which have always been confined to the families of deceased clergymen who during their lives paid at least some small amount into its treasury. J. Somers Smith, No. 212 South Fourth Street, was treasurer in 1883.

The Christmas Fund for Disabled Clergymen. -A collection is made for this fund every year, in the churches, on Christmas-day. The trustees are elected by the Diocesan Convention. The benefici- aries are disabled clergymen and widows and chil- dren of clergymen. The names of the beneficiaries of this and of the similar diocesan charities are not published. The receipts are about five thousand dollars each year, and there is an invested fund of about eighteen thousand dollars.

The Protestant Episcopal Board of Missions. -All the missionary work of the Episcopal Church in the diocese is under the control of the Board of Missions, organized in 1859, and made up of the bishop and twenty-four clergymen and laymen, elected annually by the Convention.

The Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission .- The Rev. Thomas G. Allen, Rev. Edward C. Jones, Rev. John G. Furey, and perhaps others, at various periods between 1830 and 1870, were en- gaged in general missionary work in Philadelphia; but their labors were personal, and there was no or- ganization to sustain or direct them. Several meet- ings of the city clergy were held in 1869-70 to con- sider the subject. The bishop's first plan was to have four churches selected, in different neighborhoods, to be used as centres of missionary work, to be supported by the other parishes. As this was not favorably re- ceived, and no other plan being agreed upon to meet a great and recognized want, Bishop Stevens began the Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission, on May 1, 1870. He appointed as superintendent the Rev. Samuel Durborow, an indefatigable and earnest worker, and one having had a large experi- ence in church missionary work. Missionaries were set to work, a house was taken, halls and rooms were rented, services were commenced at various places and in many of the public institutions, money was collected, and systematic plans for the relief of the poor put in operation.

After the first year's experience had demonstrated its success, the bishop handed over the control of the City Mission to a Board of Council, of eight clergy- men and eight laymen, to be appointed by the bishop. In 1872 the Diocesan Convention committed the whole work of city missions to the supervision of the Dioce- san Board of Missions. This board adopted a plan . logg, William M. Runk, W. S. Lane,

The City Mission first occupied a rented house, No. 225 South Ninth Street, which was fitted for its office, and for a German mission service held in its chapel. In 1876, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ingersoll gave to the City Mission, for its uses, the large house No. 411 Spruce Street, which the generous donors enlarged and placed in perfect order. This is now the House of Mercy, being occupied as the central office of the City Mission, and also as the Central Sick-Diet Kitchen, the upper floors being used for hospital purposes, and occupied by female patients, as the Home for Poor Consumptives. In 1882 the City Mission received as a legacy the one-sixth part of the estate of Miss Mary Shields, amounting to about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, and this has been invested and the income used in support- ing the department for the relief of poor consump- tives.

The City Mission is really a group of missions and missionary agencies, which it has set in motion, di- rects, and maintains. Some of them we notice under separate headings. The Rev. Mr. Durborow is still the general superintendent. There is a staff of three or four clergy, who minister statedly in the prisons, alms- house, and other public and charitable institutions. It has given most valuable aid in establishing a num- ber of missions and churches, some of which have be- come self-supporting parishes. The French Church, St. Barnabas' Church, Haddington, the Church of our Merciful Saviour, now the Church of the Annuncia- tion, Christ Church, Franklinville, and others were all aided by it when they began. It has made pro- vision for not only the spiritual wants, but also for the temporal relief of many classes of the deserving poor, without distinction. The consumptives are re- lieved in many cases in their own homes. Provision is made for a number of poor aged persons, and sick- dict kitchens have been established at various points.

In the thirteen years, 1870-83, the total expen- ditures of the City Mission for all purposes have been $184,717.96; baptisms, 2417; burials, 1549; visits, 214,237 ; Bible readings, 8693; grocery orders, coal orders, garments, and shoes distributed, 54,466, etc.

Officers,-President, Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D., LL.D .; Board of Council, Rev. B. Watson, D.D., Rev. D. S. Miller, D.D., Rev. Joseph D. Newlin, Rev. W. N MeVickar, Rev. William H. Graff, Rev. S. D. McConnell, Rev. J. F. Powers, W. W. Frazier, Jr., Edward R. Bowen, Effingham Perot, W. P. Cresson, HI. II. Houston, George R. Kal-

1482

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

The House of Mercy .- This house, No. 411 Spruce Street, is the central office of the City Mis- sion, where all applications for relief can be made and information received. It was formally opened on April 2, 1877, by the Right Reverend Bishop of the diocese, and dedicated to the various works of mercy which have been, from time to time, estab- lished by the Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission. On the first floor of the main building are located the offices of the City Mission. The Central Sick-Diet Kitchen is accommodated in the spacious and well-appointed room in the rear building. The Home for Consumptives is located on the upper floors, wards being provided for female patients desti- tute of an abiding-place. Rev. Samuel Durborow is superintendent.

The Central Sick-Diet Kitchen was opened by the Protestant Episcopal City Mission in Novem- ber, 1875. The object of the Sick-Diet Kitchen is to provide for the sick poor properly-prepared food, and such delicacies as they need but cannot procure. The rations are given out daily, except Sunday, to all who are sick and poor. This kitchen is maintained by the City Mission at No. 411 Spruce Street.

The Northeastern Sick-Diet Kitchen, main- tained by the City Mission, location No. 1233 Leopard Street, was established in 1879.

The Southern Sick-Diet Kitchen, maintained by the City Mission, location No. 1719 South Ninth Street, was established in February, 1880.

The Southwestern Sick-Diet Kitchen, main- tained by the City Mission, location No. 768 South Nineteenth Street.

The Home for Aged and Infirm Persons .- The City Mission has a special department for the relief of aged and infirm persons, and has cared for a num- ber of them at No. 618 South Tenth Street. Efforts are now being made by the City Mission to secure an additional building for this and other charitable purposes.

The Church Home for Children .- This highly useful and beautiful home was organized in 1856, Miss Meredith being one of its most active promoters. It was first located at the northeast corner of Twenty- second and Pine Streets, but on May 15, 1873, the present home, which has also a neat chapel on its grounds, was opened at Baltimore Avenue and Gray's Lane, West Philadelphia, near Angora Station.

Offers, Board of Conneil .- President er oficio, Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D .; Secretary, Lewis H. Redner; Treasurer, George T. Lewis : Board of Managers, Diroctresses, Mrs. George T. Lewis, Mrs Charles Stille, Mrs. James W. Robins: Secretary, Mrs. Algernon Mor- ton ; Treasurer, Mrs. John Harrison.

to the present buildings, built in 1861-63, on Market Street, near Sixty-third, West Philadelphia. The grounds are extensive, and the buildings very fine. It educates orphan girls, and the results have been of the most satisfactory character. The institution is liberally endowed, St. Stephen's Church being the trustee.

The Home for the Homeless .- This home pro- vides a temporary refuge for homeless females. It also maintains a sick-diet kitchen. The home is at No. 708 Lombard Street.

Oficers .- President, Mrs. A. F. Lex ; Vice-President, Mrs. Joseph R. Moore; Secretary, Miss Emily Wells ; Treasurer, Miss Anne DeHaven.

The Clinton Street Boarding-Home for Young Women .- This institution provides a comfortable home for respectable young women at moderate charges. It was founded by Miss Mary Coles, who is still a directress of it. It occupies two large dwel- lings, Nos. 913 and 915 Clinton Street, and has been quite successful.

Boarding-Home for Young Women .- This is a home with similar objects as the preceding one, and is located at No. 1433 Lombard Street.

St. James' Church Industrial School .- This is a parochial mission, at Twenty-fourth and Walnut Streets, maintained by St. James' Church. Very poor and ragged little girls are received and carefully trained.

Officers .- President, Rev. Henry J. Morton, D.D .; First Directress, Mise Rebecca Coxe ; Second Directress, Miss Helen Hunter; Treasurer, Miss Rebecca Yarnall; Secretary, Miss Margaretta Hutchinson ; Visitor, Mrs. McConnell.

St. Luke's Church Home .- This is a parochial charity maintained by St. Luke's Church. It is located at No. 1317 Pine Street, near the church, and provides a comfortable home for some aged women, members of the parish.

Faith Home for Crippled Children .- This in- stitution was begun in 1882, and is located at the northwest corner of Forty-fifth Street and Osage Avenue, West Philadelphia. It is designed to receive and care for children who are incurable cripples. Mrs. Innes, wife of the assistant minister of St. Mary's Church, was active in the organization of the home. Its corporate title has, we believe, been some- what altered.

St. Peter's House .- This is a parochial mission of St. Peter's Church. It occupies a large building, erected about ten years ago, at the southwest corner of Front and Pine Streets, devoted to the use of various parochial missionary organizations. The site was the gift of Mr. Coleman, and the old mansion which stood on it was the house in which Bishop White lived at the time he was first called to be an assistant minister in the "United Churches," Christ Church and St. Peter's Church.

The Burd Orphan Asylum of St. Stephen's Church .- This home was founded in 1848, by Mrs. Eliza Howard Burd, a member of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church. For some years the The Deaf-Mute Mission .- The Rev. Francis J. Clerc, D.D., some time warden of the Burd Orphan home occupied several small buildings on Sansom Street, near Tenth. After her death it was removed . Asylum, about twenty years ago held occasional

1483

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.

church services in the sign language for deaf mutes. St. Stephen's Church very kindly gave the use of the Sunday-school building in the rear of the church, and has since fostered this mission until it has become extensively useful. The Rev. H. W. Syle, himself a deaf mute, was ordained by Bishop Stevens some years ago, and is in charge of the services. An effort is now being made to erect a church, to be called All Souls', to be the headquarters of this interesting and peculiar mission.

The Ellen Butler Memorial .- This home was founded in 1882 by Edgar H. Butler, Esq., as a me- morial to his deceased wife. It is located at Nos. 28 and 30 Haines Street, Germantown. It is in charge of a board of directors, and informally connected with St. Luke's Church, Germantown. Its object is to " provide a home for gentlewomen who, from sick- ness, reduced circumstances, or want of employment, shall be in need of such a home, either temporarily or permanently."

The Sheltering Arms .- Several abortive efforts were made to establish a foundling asylum which should be under the control of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in Philadelphia, without satisfactory results. Such an agency was so much needed that in 1881 the Sheltering Arms was organized, and is now firmly established. The building is at the south- east corner of Franklin and Brown Streets. It re- ceives infants, and in certain cases, the mothers also, and this charity has already won the approval and confidence of the general public.

Officers -Board of Council, William Bacon Stevens, D.D., LL.D., president; Rev. W. H. Graff, Thomas F. Davies, Francis Wells, Orlando Crease, Rev. W. F. C. Morsell, A. H. Miller, Justice Cox, Jr., George D. McCreary, Daniel Baugh, J. N. Newlin, John B. Love; Board of Man- agers, Mrs. Charlotte L. Peirce, Mrs. George L. Harrison, Mrs. E. R. Wood, Mias Margaret Bache, Mise Georgie Harrah, Miss Emily Aehhurst, Mra S. C. F. Hallowell, Mrs. Wayne MacVeagh, Mrs. Robert Adams, Mrs. Hannah P. Baker, Mre. Orlando Crease, Mrs. Daniel Baugh, Mrs. H. O. Du Bois, Mrs. S. P. Wolfe, Mrs. George D. McCreary, Miss M. A. Bonnell, Mre. Abel Reed, Mies Gertrude K. Peirce, Mrs. T. K. Conrad ; Medical Board, J. Cheston Morris, M.D., Albert H. Smith, M.D., John Ashhurst, Jr., M.D., Louis Starr, M.D.

Miscellaneous Charities, Protestant Episcopal Church .- In addition to the organizations noticed in : 1848, by Bishop Kenrick, who in that year purchased this list, there are numerous other charitable and benevolent agencies connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Nearly all the parishes have something in the way of guilds, working- men's clubs, Dorcas Societies, beneficial clubs, tem- perance societies, and the like connected with them. We have noticed the oldest and most prominent of them, and the list shows what a wide and varied field of charitable and benevolent ministrations is trav- ersed and cultivated in this city by the members of this communion.

Catholic Relief Associations .- St. Joseph's Female Orphan Asylum is located at the south- west corner of Seventh and Spruce Streets. It is in charge of the Sisters of Charity. It owes its origin to Rev. Leonard Neale, who in 1797 organized an

association to care for the destitute orphans of those Catholics who died during the year from yellow fever. A number of children were kept in a home on Sixth Street, near Holy Trinity Church, and were supported by voluntary offerings. In 1806 an association to maintain the orphan by an annual subscription was formed. An act of incorporation was obtained on Dec. 18, 1807. In 1814 the institution was placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity. Up to about 1830 the asylum occupied a building on the east side of Sixth Street, north of Spruce.

St. John's Orphan Asylum owes its origin and foundation to a voluntary association formed in 1829, at the house of Nicholas Donnelly, Lombard Street, above Third, to care for the four children of one James Andrews, who died in June, his widow dying in October. When the association numbered one hundred and sixty-three members, application was made to Rev. John Hughes, at St. Joseph's Church, to draft constitution and by-laws for the government of the society. He did so, and subsequently applied to Rev. John Hickey, at Emmittsburg, Md., for four Sisters of Charity. They came, and a house on Prune now [Locust] Street, above Fourth, was se- cured and occupied. In 1832 the asylum was removed to Broad Street, north of Chestnut. The next year it was changed to the Gothic mansion, Chestnut Street, below Thirteenth, on the site of Concert Hall. The property cost the asylum $21,333.33. It was sold for $33,000, when, in 1852, thirteen acres adjoin- ing the Cathedral Cemetery was purchased, and the asylum erected, at a cost of 843,000, having accom- modations for four hundred children.

Since 1847 the asylum has been in charge of Sisters of St. Joseph.

St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, at Tacony, is for the care of Catholic German orphans.

St. Mary Magdalen di Pazzi Asylum, for Italian orphan children, is at No. 913 South Seventh Street, founded 1876, by Rev. A. (. Isolero.

St. Ann's Widows' Asylum is on Moyamensing Avenue below Christian Street. It was founded in the property and donated it to the object. The gift was accepted at a meeting at St. John's, on Oct. 8, 1848. In 1849 a charter of incorporation was obtained. Ou May 24, 1849, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd took possession, and on the 26th Bishop Kenrick said the first mass in the asylum. Widows over fifty years of age are admitted.

Home for Aged Poor, under the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor, is on Eighteenth Street, above Jefferson, and was dedicated Oct. 29, 1871. On May 24, 1874, the corner-stone of a new chapel for the accommodation of the inmates was laid, and on No- vember 1st it was dedicated.

The home receives all aged poor without respect to creed or nationality. The number of inmates is about three hundred.

1484

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

The Catholic Home for Destitute Orphan Girls, No. 1720 Race Street, owes its origin to the Par- ticular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 1863 the necessity of providing for such children, many of whom were orphans of deceased soldiers, procured a charter from the Legislature and founded a temporary home, and finally secured the present location. In 1865 the management of the institution was assumed by Bishop Wood. Since its foundation over twelve hundred children have been cared for.

St. Vincent's Home, corner of Eighteenth and Wood Streets, cares for children who are under five years of age.

St. Vincent de Paul Society .- Conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul exist at nearly all the Catholic Churches. Their object is the relief of destitution, irrespective of the religion, color, or na- tionality of the needy. The first conference was organized at St. Joseph's Church, by Rev. John Lynch, S.J., in 1851; William A. Steel, president ; L. Kirkpatrick, treasurer; and Charles McKeone, secretary. In 1858 the following conferences were organized : St. John's, M. A. Frenaye, president ; SS. Peter and Paul's, John G. Ford, president; St. Patrick's, Michael McEvoy, president; St. James', John B. Colahan, president; St. Malachi's, Patrick McIntee, president. In 1859 they were aggregated to the organization in Rome. Later, the Assumption, Joel Zane, president; St. Augustine's, William J. Turner, president; St. Francis', John Nailis, presi- dent, were organized, and aggregated to the Particular Council in November, 1860, April, 1862, and Novem- ber, 1872, respectively. In March, 1860, the Particu- lar Council, or union of the city conferences, was formed. John G. Ford was the first president. John B. Colahan succeeded until 1863, when William J. Turner was elected. He resigned in 1864, when Hon. Joseph R. Chandler was elected. He continued pres- ident until his death in July, 1881. His successor and the present incumbent is Charles Philips.

The following conferences, in addition to those named above, have been organized. The date of their affiliation with the Particular Council and name of the first president is given :

Our Mother of Sorrows, February, 1865, John I. Murray.

St. Michael's, November, 1865, Michael McEvoy.

St. Paul's, September, 1866, Bernard Owens.

St. Joachim's, June, 1871, Willlam M. O'Reilly.

St. Teresa's, June, 1871, Peter O'Reilly.

Immaculate Conception, February, 1872, J. W. Kearney.

St. Agatha's, February, 1872, Owen Brady.

St. Aun's, February, 1872, Ilngh Smith.

Gesù, Juve, 1878, J. W. McDermott,

St. Vincent de Paul, March, 1879, Charles Philips.

St Mary's, June, 1879, J. Hammill.

St. Cecilia's, November, 1879, Michael Ward.

St. Charles Borromeo, April, 1880, Charles Lafferty.

Annunciation, April, 1880, John T. Murray.

St. John the Baptist, November, 1881, Patrick Dillou.

St. Elizabeth', November, 1881, Charles E. Baker.

In order to protect destitute children the Council, in 1863, procured a charter for a temporary home.

The Catholic Home continued under the manage- ment of the society until 1865, when it was assumed by Bishop Wood. Over twelve hundred children have been cared for by the home. In 1876 the Gen- eral Assembly of the society met in this city, by di- rection of the president-general at Paris, as a mark of honor to the United States. In 1877 the annual spiritual retreat of the society was instituted, and has since been maintained.

House of the Good Shepherd .- The Sisters of the Good Shepherd were founded in 1651, at Caen, France, by Rev. Eudes de Mezerai. The order was introduced into Philadelphia in 1849. On May 3, 1850, an auxiliary society was organized to assist the order. Mrs. Robert Walsh, president; Mrs. Ed- ward Frith, vice-president; Mrs. James Slevin, sec- retary.

On March 21, 1852, the corner-stone of the con- vent, or Home of the Good Shepherd, northeast cor- ner Twenty-second and Walnut Streets, was laid. Prior to its completion the Sisters were in charge of St. Ann's Widows' Asylum, on Second Street, below Christian. The institution remained at Twenty-sec- ond and Walnut Streets until Nov. 3, 1880, when the present magnificent house at Thirty-fifth Street and Silverton Avenue, West Philadelphia, was first occu- pied. The object of this noble order is the reclamation of wayward females.

The Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute is situated on Twelfth Street, below Walnut. It was organized at St. Mary's school hall, on Dec. 22, 1850. Rev. E. J. Sourin was elected president. After leaving St. Mary's, the society subsequently met at Sixth and Walnut, corner Eighth and Arch, southeast corner Sixth and Prune [now Locust], northeast corner Tenth and Chestnut, southeast corner Eighth and Walnut, No. 923 Sansom Street. On April 9, 1871, the society bought the property of the Schuylkill Hose Company, Locust, below Thirteenth, where it remained until 1879, when it purchased the property it now occupies. E. J. Molineaux is presi- dent.

The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of the United States, a national organization of Catholic societies, engaged in the work of mutual assistance in case of sickness and death, number forty-seven, aggregating six thousand seven hundred members.

The officers of the national body are Hon. A. M. Keiley, Richmond, Va., president ; John L. Lindsay, Providence, R. I., and Maurice F. Wilhere, Manayunk, Philadelphia, vice-presidents; Martin I. J. Griffin, Philadelphia, secretary ; Rev. James Henry, St. Louis, treasurer.

The societies of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union in Philadelphia are :

No.

Members. 70

59. Rev. E. J. Sourin

90. National Catholic. 372

91. St. Charles' Male ... 72

94. National Catholic of St. Vincent de Pan1 .. 167

95. St. Ann's .. 170

1485

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.

No.

Members.

96. Rev. Hugh Mclaughlin .. 260

104. Father Mark Crane

104

105. New St Joseph's. 118

109. Rev. David Mulholland.

117. Workingmen's.

120. Dr. Moriarty. 241

131. Daniel Carroll .. 50

155. Philadelphia National Catholic.

166. St. Clement'e.

171. Kensington Catholic

148

172. St. Dominic

145

197. St. Patrick's

150

212. St. Catharine's 200

217. Father Burke 196

234. Rev. Thomas Fox.

240. Archbishop Carroll. 280

260. Pius IX

457

313. Jamies D. Howley

234

329. St. Jerome's. 170

355. St. Cecilia's. 214

380. John Lee Carroll

384. Rev. Thomas Kieran.

18€

401. St. Mary's.

402. Pope Leo XIII

403. St. John's Y. M. R. C. 109

4 5. Erin .. 27

418. Mary Star of the Sea.

325

430. Celtic ..

132

434. Cecelien 121

445. St. Monica's ..

230 450. A. M. Kelley. 117 452. Father Jordan. 105

456. James D Howley, No. 2. 207

457. Father Sharkey.

116

458. St. Ano's Sodality (beneficial) 301

462. Columbus. 185

464. Rev. Thomas J. Barry

467. St. Elizabeth'e. ..

The Shamrock, St. Gertrude, and Hon. Dennis Dwyer Societies have lately been organized.

These societies pay weekly benefits to members when sick, and a funeral benefit to the family when a member dies.

There are also a number of Catholic beneficial so- cieties, male and female, unattached to the Union. There are many societies, almost wholly composed of Catholics, to which no religious qualification is required for membership.

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 147

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