Churches play a pivotal role in bringing people together in the community ever since the early settlers arrived in the New World that would later become the United States of America. When Ambler community was growing, a church was needed for those who wish to pray to God. This led to the movement in establishing a Methodist church.
Early History
It was considered the third effort from the Methodist society to establish a church in Ambler from 1872 to 1875, led by Reverend Andrew Manship (1823-1892). The preachers were from Jarrettown. The society had their first meeting in August 1886 at the home of Joseph Morris (now occupied by John Tyson), at the corner of Spring Garden and Race Streets. The meeting took place at the front of the Tyson home where members performed songs, attracting a large audience in the community.
Fun Fact # 1: Eight people were present at the church and at the Sabbath Sunday school.
Reverend John Wesley Perkinpine (1858-1928) began his ministry here in 1886, and began efforts to build the society's own church on Ridge Avenue and Race Street. The plot was purchased by Thomas and John Reddington for $900. The building was completed and dedicated on February 20, 1887. He was the church's pastor from 1886-1888. Reverend Perkinpine was previously a pastor at the Montgomery Square M.E. Church.
On March 15, 1894, the church was officially chartered.
Fun Fact # 2: In 1903, a cathedral organ was given to the church by Andrew Carnegie.
A New Beginning
A purchase was made of a lot owned by David Knipe (1832-1919). The church planned to expand their church that would cost them at least $20,000.
The church was built and completed in 1912, and on September 4 the same year, the first renamed itself from the First Methodist Episcopal church to its current name: Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was officially dedicated on May 18, 1913.
The architecture style of the church is Gothic with local granite material.
Bibliography
"Ambler Methodist Episcopal Church." Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/159946.
"Burning Of The Mortgage." Ambler Gazette. July 5, 1906. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_5672.
"Church To Be Dedicated." Ambler Gazette. May 15, 1913. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_11116
"First M. E. Church." Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/3492.
"Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." DaftLogic. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm.
"Methodist Church Will Mark 25th Anniversary Event. Ambler Gazette. May 12, 1938. Pages 1 & 4. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_21859.
"Methodists Lay Corner Stone." Ambler Gazette. August 22, 1912. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_8395.
"Obituary: REV. JOHN WESLEY PERKINPINE." Ambler Gazette. April 5, 1928. Page 4. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_16529.
"Our History." Calvary United Methodist Church Ambler. Accessed February 10, 2024. https://www.calvaryambler.org/about-1.
Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, v. 27, n. 14 (1912): 228.
"The 17th Anniversary." Ambler Gazette. March 9, 1905. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_1658.
"The Ambler Methodists." Ambler Gazette. February 25, 1897. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_1059.
"THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY." Ambler Gazette. February 23, 1899. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_116.
"Town Topics." Ambler Gazette. April 16, 1903. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_3630.
"Twelfth Anniversary." Ambler Gazette. August 11, 1898. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_26.
"Whittock's Whitpain." Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://www.wvalleyhs.org/whittocks-whitpain/.
תגובות