Philadelphia Places of Worship

Philadelphia Places of Worship include the AME Mother church, one of the oldest black Baptist churches in America, the home church of Rev. Leon Sullivan, who founded Opportunities Industrialization Organization, and many other notable congregations.

Mother Bethel AME Church
DESCRIPTION: Rev. Richard Allen was the driving force behind the founding of this distinguished church; his tomb and the Christian Recorder Newspaper he founded can be seen in the church’s basement Tue-Sat; in 1786, Rev. Allen was invited to preach the 5a worship service at St. George’s Methodist Church (a different location) and quickly attracted a large congregation of African-American followers; in 1787, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones founded the Free African Society — a mutual aid society to help widows, orphans and the sick; in 1787, Allen and the church attracted so many African-American members of St. George’s Methodist Church that a new balcony was constructed to accomodate the congregation; when Richard Allen, Absalon Jones, William White were told not to worship in their preferred seats in the expanded church due to racial segregation, they led the black congreagation to walk out; in Allen’s words, “By this time prayer was over, and we all went out of the church in a body, and they were no more plagued with us in the church“; after years of sacrifice, in 1791 they raised enough funds to purchase a lot and begin designing an expandable church in South Philadelphia where African-Americans and anyone could worship as equal citizens; President George Washington even contributed funds to Mother Bethel AME Church — no doubt, he was inspired by the valor of black soldiers who fought in his Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; Rev. Allen asked Bishop Francis Asbury to lead the new church dedication cerimonies in 29 July 1794 — it was one of the first African-American churches in the United States; expanded and renovated many times, it is listed of as a National Historic Landmark, this site is one of the most important Underground Railroad Station since it is the oldest black church in the north; it is also the oldest property continuously owned by African Americans in Philadelphia
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8a and 10:45a
ADDRESS: 419 Richard Allen Ave (South 6th Street), Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-1050 or 215-925-0616
WEBSITE: https://www.motherbethel.org

First African Baptist Church
In response to the need to worship in an equal and unfettered manner, this church, originally located at 10th and Vine Streets, was founded in 1809; it is the first African Baptist Church in Philadelpha and one of the nation’s oldest African Baptist congregations; the first pastor Rev Henry Cunningham served until 1813; in 1896, under pastor Dr. William Creditt, the church organized the Mutual Aid Insurance Society, which was the first insurance company in town; the cornerstone for the current church was laid in 1906.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11a
ADDRESS: 1608 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-1050
WEBSITE: http://www.thefabchurch.org

Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia
DESCRIPTION: One of the most historic churches in Philadelphia for its stellar social justice ministry, entrepreneurial spirit, and advocacy for the empowerment of the urban underclass. In January 2012, Zion called Reverend A. Carl Prince, the first African-American Minister to serve on the Richmond City Council in Richmond, Virginia to serve as its 11th Pastor. The church’s 2,000-seat contemporary sanctuary houses the pulpit from which the former Lion of Zion, Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan served as pastor for 38 years; Zion of Philadelphia built Opportunities Industrialization Organization (OIC), the first national jobs program for African Americans in America, Progress Plaza, Progress Investments Associates, and the Sullivan Charitable Trust. Under Dr. Sullivan’s leadership, Zion led churches and the African American community to boycott corporations that failed to hire minorities; this successful boycott opened doors for blacks to secure good-paying jobs; Dr. Sullivan and Zion were also a major force calling for an end to Apartheid in South Africa.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 7:45a & 10:45a
ADDRESS: 3600 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Allegheny SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-223-5460
WEBSITE: http://www.zionphilly.org

Wesley AME Zion Church
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1820; in 1885, the congregation moved west to its current location at 1500 Lombard Street. The church later commissioned a larger structure to accommodate a growing congregation. It was designed by architect George Savage, the building is made in the Gothic Revival style with a corner bell tower and spire; the church sanctuary is located on the second floor and contains a large “U” shaped balcony and is brightly lit by stained glass windows on all sides. The church is very active in community outreach programs and has a credit union.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:45a
ADDRESS: 1500 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-8961
WEBSITE: none

Union Baptist Church
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1832 by Rev Daniel Scott; famed concert vocalist and Philadelphia native Marian Anderson began her singing career here when she performed here at age six, there is a marker on the front pavement in her honor.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11a
ADDRESS: 1910 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-7273
WEBSITE: none

Tindley Temple United Methodist Church
DESCRIPTION: In 1902 Rev. Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933) founded this church edifice as East Calvary Methodist Church. The church was later renamed in his honor. Tindley was born a slave in Berlin, MD, and migrated to Philadelphia in 1870 to study for the ministry. He also became known as a composer of gospel songs; by Rev Tindley’s instruction, this remarkable church has one of the largest pipe organs in America and twelve entrances to symbolize twelve gates to the city. Findley has a congregation size of 600.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:45a
ADDRESS: 762 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-0442
WEBSITE: https://www.gbgm-umc.org/Tindley

St. Peter Claver Center for Evangelization
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1889 and dedicated in 1892, it is considered the Mother Church for African American Catholics in Philadelphia. Since it was founded during the Segregation Era, its goal was to create a religious institution and school for Colored Catholics and their leadership. With changing demographics, the school closed in 1984 and the parish closed in 1985. The center no longer holds worship services but offers a wide range of educational workshops and special events.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: N.A.
ADDRESS: 502 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-3164
WEBSITE: https://www.martindeporresfoundation.org

First Colored Wesley Methodist Church
DESCRIPTION: A small congregation for this historic church in South Philly.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:30a
ADDRESS: 739 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-735-4260
WEBSITE: https://firstcoloredwesley.wordpress.com

Mount Tabor AME Church
DESCRIPTION: Largest AME church in Philadelphia and the first major AME church to have an African American woman as pastor, Rev. Martha Langley. In 1939, a congregation named “Christ Delight Mission” moved to this site and joined the AME Conference.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11a
ADDRESS: 961 North 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Girard SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-574-1311 / 1310
WEBSITE: http://www.mttaborame.com

Muhammad’s Mosque #12
DESCRIPTION: Nation of Islam place of worship in the City of Brotherly Love
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10a
ADDRESS: 2508 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Spring Garden SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-228-6044
WEBSITE: https://www.noi.org

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church
DESCRIPTION: Visit this large and dynamic church for spiritual uplift
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11a
ADDRESS: 3200 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Allegheny SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-227-7311
WEBSITE: none

Sharon Baptist Church
DESCRIPTION: One of the largest churches in the city with over 6,000 members
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 7:45a and 11a
ADDRESS: 3955 Conshohocken Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: N.A.
PHONE: 215-473-3000
WEBSITE: https://www.sharonbc.org

New Covenant Church of Philadelphia
DESCRIPTION: 4000 members drive this dynamic growing church
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:45 a and 5p
ADDRESS: 7500 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street
RAPID TRANSIT: Mount Airy SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-226-7600
WEBSITE: https://www.newcovenantchurch.org

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