435 N. 38th Street
(Vieira, West
Philadelphia Illustrated. 1903)
The
Christ Methodist Episcopal Church
“Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, northeast
corner of Thirty-eighth and Hamilton streets, is the result of services held
first in the house of William Smitheman, Sr., in 1850.
In July, 1852, a lot was purchased at Ninth and Elm Thirty-eighth and Mount
Vernon) streets, and a frame church erected thereon, which was dedicated
October 24, 1852. This was known as "The Mantuaville
Methodist Episcopal Church." It had at that time forty-two members and
forty-four probationers; the Sunday School had fifty-nine scholars and nine
teachers.
“In 1855 a new brick church was
erected and called "The Thirty-eighth Street Church." In this the
congregation worshiped till the erection and dedication of the present
structure in February, 1870. There have been, under the itinerant system of
system of Methodism, twenty-two pastors since the founding of the church. The
resent pastor is Rev. A. A. Arthur.”
(Vieira, West Philadelphia Illustrated.
1903)
1880: “Decennial pf a Church Dedication.
The congregation of Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of Thirty-eighth
and Hamilton streets, Mantua, Rev. J. Richards Boyle, pastor, celebrated their
decennial yesterday with interesting exercises. The musical portion of the
services was conducted by Prof. W. G. Fischer [209 N.
36th St.], director; E. O. Van Houten
[3205
Race St.), precentor, and Mrs. A. W. Bunting [3322
Hamilton St.], organist….
“Rev. H. A. Cleveland, the first
pastor, was succeeded, under the operation of the transfers established by the
constitution of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Rev. R. W. Humphriss, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Charles J.
Little.
“The next two pastors were Rev. Joh
Stringer and Rev. Charles W. Bowie, who retired last spring, making way for the
minister now in charge, Rev. J. Richards Boyle, under whose care the church and
Sunday school have grown rapidly till the former numbers 225 communicants, with
an average attendance at the services of between 300 and 400 worshipers…. But
the strong point of the church is its Sunday school., which has upon its roll
the names of not less than five hundred pupils.” (Inquirer, March 1)
2022: It is now the Mt. Pleasant Primitive
Baptist Church.
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3700 block Spring Garden 3731
Hamilton >
Revised 7/7/2013