Strawbridge Methodist Episcopal Church records

In June 1836, a Sunday School was started in the Richmond Market neighborhood, in the home of Mr. William Coulter at about 850 North Howard Street. This Sunday School grev rapidly.



In 1839, to accommodate this growing Sunday School a frame chapel was built at a cost of $1,000.00 on the lot now known as 887-889 North Howard Street and dedicated in February 1840.



In April 1843 the Howard Street Station of the Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated to provide a church building.



In 1845, the lot at Garden (Linden) and Biddle Streets was purchased and the corner stone of the new building was laid on September 4, 1845. By 1846 services were held on the ground floor and in 1847 the auditorium was completed and dedication took place in November 1848. The new Church grew apace, outstanding revivals resulted, the revival of 1858 lasted three months and 350 people were converted. In some years as many as sixteen active class meetings were carried on. In 1858 the Church was partially burned, it was rebuilt and improvements were made.



The missionary zeal of these early Methodists was high, attempts were made to establish Sunday Schools in needed localities, the effort in Hampden resulted in the formation of a separate charge, Mount Vernon Station with a membership of 200.



In 1860 Howard Street Station had its name changed to Strawbridge Methodist Episcopal Church, but the charter was not amended until January 25, 1883.



In 1881, Dr. John F. Goucher was appointed Pastor and his first text was Rise and Build, for the neighborhood of Garden (Linder) and Biddle Streets was fast becoming a business district and there was need for a larger church in a residential section.



Mr. Erastus Mitten offered a site at Park Avenue and Wilson Street, this was accepted and the building at Garden (Linden) and Biddle Streets was sold to a colored congregation.



While the new building was being constructed services were held in a tent on a lot adjoining. On December 31, 1881 a Watchnight. Service was held in the newly finished Chapel.



In June 1882, the church proper was dedicated free of debt, by Bishop Matthew Simpson.



In 1885, a Parsonage was built on Wilson Street, adjoining the Church, this became later a Guild House, next a rented Parsonage until a property was secured on Bolton Street south of Wilson Street, this was used until the one at 1719 Park Avenue was acquired.



The Rev. R. W. H. Weech served longer than any other Pastor, his two terms amounted to nine years, fruitful years and of gracious memory.



Miss Nellie Mathews, whose membership began in 1882, continues to give faithful and valuable service to Strawbridge Church.



Dr. C. Guyer Kelly, before becoming a missionary, gave splendid service to Strawbridge Church; he is now head of a Boys' School in Tunis, North Africa, and the famous organizer of inter-racial baseball teams.