Philadelphia, Pa. First Christian Church records, 1835-1974.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains membership and administrative records for the First Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The collection includes baptismal records, membership records, marriage records, records of deaths, church and board meeting minutes, newsletters, ladies aid society records, and an 1841 charter for the church.
Dates
- 1835-1974
Creator
- First Christian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Organization)
Restrictions on Access
Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.
Restrictions on Use
Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication. Requests for permission to publish material must be discussed with the archivist or librarian.
Historical Note
The First Church of the Disciples of Christ in Philadelphia was chartered in 1841, though the church’s membership roll dates back to 1835. By the twentieth century, the church was more commonly called the First Christian Church. The church was located at the intersection of Berks and Marvine Streets. The church was evidently struggling in 1912 when Irving S. Chenoweth became pastor. Chenoweth was born in 1883 and graduated from the Union Theological Seminary in 1911. Under Chenowith’s leadership, the struggling church changed locations to one at the intersections of Tenth Street and Boulevard. First services at the new location were held on May 21, 1917. At some point after 1957, the church joined the United Church of Christ. It is unclear if the church continues to exist today in some form or fashion.
Extent
1.09 Cubic Feet (1 box, 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The First Church of the Disciples of Christ in Philadelphia was chartered in 1841. In 1912, Irving S. Chenoweth became the past of the First Christian Church and under his leadership a new church building was constructed in 1917. The church joined with the United Church of Christ after 1957. This collection contains membership and administrative records and includes meeting minutes, newsletters, and vital membership records.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into chronological order, by start date, with like and continuous materials grouped together.
Acquisition Information
Materials were donated to the Congregational Library & Archives by the Evangelival & Reformed Library & Archives in January 2024; 2024-01.
Processing Information
Processed for the CLA by Zachary Bodnar, October 2025, according to Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Creator
- First Christian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Organization)
- First Church of Disciples (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Organization)
- Title
- Philadelphia, Pa. First Christian Church records, 1835-1974.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Zachary Bodnar
- Date
- 2025-10-22
- Description rules
- 3
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Congregational Library & Archives Repository