This site gives a nice overview of the historic Philadelphia congregations.
Quakers
Swedish Lutherans
I mentioned in a previous post that there were a few Swedish families in the area when Penn's Quakers founded the city. In fact, their Lutheran church - Gloria Dei - is the oldest church in Pennsylvania. Built in 1698 on what would become Swanson St and Delaware Ave, it is still active. Here is the first photo of the church, taken in 1854. More photos can be found here.
German Faiths
Between 1726 and 1755, 40,000 Germans immigrated to Philadelphia and the surrounding areas to bring the total ethnic population to about 60,000. Many of them made their home in the appropriately named Germantown to the north of the city. German Reformed and Lutheran congregations were established there in the early part of the century. In Philly, Lutherans under the guidance of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (namesake of the PA college) were saved from the influences of the Moravians and in 1748 erected St. Michaels Lutheran Church at 5th and Appletree near the current National Constitution Center. Along with the Anglican Christ Church, it served as an early architectural landmark that marked the maturing of Philadelphia from a town into a city. Here it is in 1875.
Presbyterians
Presbyterian membership was bolstered by an influx of 30,000 Scots-Irish between 1726 and 1755, overflowing the original "Buttonwood" church at High (Market) St. and Banker St. (presumably now Bank St.). The new church now referred to as "Old Pine" was built on that street between 4th and 5th in 1768, and has since gone through more than a few transformations.
Though united today, during the Great Awakening the Philadelphia Presbyterians split into "New Lights" and "Old Lights," the former following the teachings of the evangelist George Whitefield and erecting a hall on 4th between High and Mulberry to hear him preach. Incredibly, this structure was 100 feet long and 70 feet wide, making it the largest building in Philadelphia at the time. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a drawing of this "Whitefield Hall" (if one even exists). This group would later become the Second Presbyterian Church under Pastor Gilbert Tennent at 3rd and Arch Streets. Here is an additional source on the early Presbyterian history in Philly.
Still coming in part 2: the riff-raff - Catholics and Jews in early Philadelphia, and the most iconic church of old city Philly.
The original majority religion in Philadelphia, by 1700 making up 40% of the population, and by 1750 only one-sixth, the Quakers maintained political and financial control of the city until the late part of the century. Their first major meeting house was the "Great Meeting House," succeeded by the "Greater Meeting House" at the same location (original, I know) on the Southwest corner of High (Market) and 2nd St. The Greater of the two can be seen in this satirical cartoon of the Paxton Expedition in 1764 (upper left-hand corner). Can you pick out Benjamin Franklin proclaiming the success of his delegation to the Paxton mob?
source: Public Domain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paxton_Boys_march_on_Philadelphia.jpg
The Arch Street Meeting House (1803) between 3rd and 4th streets was financed by the sale of the Greater House and is still active today.
Swedish Lutherans
I mentioned in a previous post that there were a few Swedish families in the area when Penn's Quakers founded the city. In fact, their Lutheran church - Gloria Dei - is the oldest church in Pennsylvania. Built in 1698 on what would become Swanson St and Delaware Ave, it is still active. Here is the first photo of the church, taken in 1854. More photos can be found here.
source: http://phillyhistory.org
Between 1726 and 1755, 40,000 Germans immigrated to Philadelphia and the surrounding areas to bring the total ethnic population to about 60,000. Many of them made their home in the appropriately named Germantown to the north of the city. German Reformed and Lutheran congregations were established there in the early part of the century. In Philly, Lutherans under the guidance of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (namesake of the PA college) were saved from the influences of the Moravians and in 1748 erected St. Michaels Lutheran Church at 5th and Appletree near the current National Constitution Center. Along with the Anglican Christ Church, it served as an early architectural landmark that marked the maturing of Philadelphia from a town into a city. Here it is in 1875.
Presbyterians
Presbyterian membership was bolstered by an influx of 30,000 Scots-Irish between 1726 and 1755, overflowing the original "Buttonwood" church at High (Market) St. and Banker St. (presumably now Bank St.). The new church now referred to as "Old Pine" was built on that street between 4th and 5th in 1768, and has since gone through more than a few transformations.
Still coming in part 2: the riff-raff - Catholics and Jews in early Philadelphia, and the most iconic church of old city Philly.
I had no idea that the oldest church in Quaker Philly was Lutheran! It's beautiful... we should visit.
ReplyDeleteFYI!!!!.... Please See The Link Below!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stmichaelsgermantown.org/?page_id=36
****Francis Daniel Pastorius brought to Germantown thirteen families: presumably Quakers, but in reality mostly Mennonites, who soon separated themselves from the Quakers, and built their own Church. ***
The first Henckel(Henkel) to come to America was Rev Anthony Jacob Henckel. About the time of the unbearable religious persecution in Germany, William Penn had become head of a Colony in the new world, designated as Penn's Woods (Pennsylvania). He needed hard working, responsible colonists to help him develop this colony so he could meet the revenues required by the Crown (English Government). Penn, able to speak German, went to Frankfort and personally invited these persecuted Lutherans to come to his colony. Rev Henckel, pastor of the Lutherans, and in conflict with the Catholic
Authorities, decided to resign and join with his neighbors in 1717 to go to the new world.
Here, he resumed his pastoral duties and with his family became a leader in the religious and cultural life of the colony.
Anny ???s Let Me Know! ;-) (Henckel/Henkel/Hinkle Descendent)