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
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437 N. 35th corner of Spring Garden 3502 Spring Garden >
Revised 6/25/2022