3500 Spring Garden Street

 

 

The History of the Building

 

First Presbyterian Church of Mantua

 

            This plot became the home of the First Presbyterian Church of Mantua. It was an outgrowth of a Sabbath School that was started at the northwest corner of 33rd and Spring Garden St. in 1837. The cornerstone for the new church was laid September 8, 1846. In January, 1875, the congregation purchased a large lot at the corner of 35th and Baring St. and built a new church. At their last meeting at 35th and Spring Garden in September, 1875, they renamed the church Northminster Presbyterian Church.

 

1846, June 29: “A Fair for the sale of Fancy articles will be held at Mantua Village, across the Wire Bridge, to-morrow and next day, to aid the fund for the erection of a Presbyterian church in that village. Such of our citizens as are disposed to visit the fair, can take the regular omnibuses to Fairmount, where conveyances will be ready to carry them to Mantua. We trust a handsome sum may be raised.”  (Inquirer, p 2)

 

Ministers:

1846-1848: Rev. W. S. Drysdale

 

1849-1853: Rev. Charles S. Renshaw

The 1851 directory lists Rev. Renshaw living at Haverford below 6th [ 35th], Mantua

 

1853-1864: Rev. Thomas S. Johnston

The 1856 directory lists Rev. Johnston at Sycamore above 7th [36th] (Mantua)

 

1864-1882: Rev. H. Augustus Smith, D. D.

              In 1864-’66, he lived with the family of James Ferree at 3404 Spring Garden St. In 1866, he married Louisa Andrews, daughter of Alexander and Amelia Andrews, 3507 Baring St. At that time, he was living at 329 (now 407) N. 33rd St. In 1870, they lived at 3413 Hamilton St. (See his photo there.)  In 1880, Henry was widowed and living at 3705 Hamilton St. with his three daughters.

 

Grace Lutheran Church

 

1877, Dec. 28: “Rev. J. [John] H. Menges, of York, Pa., has received a call from Grace Lutheran Church, West Philadelphia. He will probably accept.”  (Phila. Inquirer)

 

1878, Jan. 4: “It is stated that Grace Lutheran Church, West Philadelphia, intend buying the Presbyterian Church at Thirty-fifth and Spring Garden streets, which has been offered to them for the sum of $11,000.”  (Phila. Inquirer)

 

1878, Feb. 15: “Grace Lutheran Church, corner of Thirty-fifth and Spring Garden streets, West Philadelphia, Rev. J. H. Menges, pastor, having been repaired and improved, will be reopened with appropriate religious exercises next Sunday [the 17th].”  (Phila. Inquirer)

            In 1890, he lived at 3510 Spring Garden St. until his death in 1898. His widow continued living there.

 

1901, May 1: Rev. J. H. Main (Inquirer)

 

1903, Nov. 10: Phila. Conf. Evangelical Synod of E. Penn. met at Grace, 35th & SG (Inquirer)

 

1903, Aug. 22: “Grace Lutheran Church, corner Thirty-fifth and Spring Garden streets, has called Rev. Ferdinand Hesse, of New Oxford, Pa., to take charge of its pulpit, formerly occupied by Rev. J. H. Main.”  (Phila. Inq.)

            Rev. Main took over Holy Trinity Lutheran

 

1903, Sept. 2: Rev. Hesse married Effie F. Greenholt of McSherrystown, Pa. They were moving to Phila. to take up at Grace.  (Inquirer)

 

1910, April 6: “The Pomeroy Construction Company is estimating upon plans by Jacob Nasebold, architect, for alterations and additions to Grace Lutheran Church at Sixty-fifth [sic.] and Spring Garden streets….”  (Inquirer) The plans included a stone front and tower (Phila. Builders’ Guide)

 

1918 Directory: Grace Lutheran (English, General Synod), 35th corner Spring Garden, Rev. R. H. Gearhart

 

1925 Directory: Grace Lutheran (English, Eastern Pennsylvania Synod), 35th corner Spring Garden, Rev. E. S. Rudisill

 

1935 Directory: Grace Lutheran (English, Eastern Pennsylvania Synod) 35th & Spring Garden

 

< 437 N. 35th corner of Spring Garden                                                           3502 Spring Garden >

 

Revised 6/25/2022

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