For every church denomination, there was a need to grow their community. During the 19th century, the number of churches built in the Wissahickon Valley Region increased rapidly due to the area's increase population. When Ambler was established, many citizens from outside the area moved in the newly developed town, which lead to a need for a place to worship.
Early History
On September 18, 1891, a discussion began to establish a Presbyterian church in Ambler. Three members of the Presbytery of Philadelphia North officially organized the church on October 5, and they were Reverends Abraham W. Long (1846-1921) of Flourtown, Richard Montgomery of Ashbourne, and Elder Charles B. Adamson of Germantown. The lot was purchased from Charles M. Shoemaker who had a home on that lot.
The church was designed by Thomas Francis Miller, and $5,000 was spent for repairs and improvements around the building after it was built in 1892. Thus, the First Presbyterian Church of Ambler was born.
Fun Fact # 1: In 1894, John Wanamaker, a postmaster-general at the time, laid the cornerstone of the newly built church.
Expanding the Edifice
In 1935, the church hired architect Norman Hulme to design the expansion of the church with the Sunday school room and the kitchen. F.L. Hoover and Sons were also hired as contractors for the project.
A second floor and basement were also part of the expansion project where one room served for the beginners and primary department while the other room served for classes for mothers and young people. It was said the basement would be ideal for Boy and Girl Scouts meetings.
The project cost $18,700 while the cost of improvements was $5,000, the same price for improvements when the church was first built.
While the church was being enlarged and rebuilt, the church services were held at Miss. Henszey's School.
Around the 1960s, the building made its final rebuilt, and officially became what we know today.
Bibliography
"Church School To Observe 55th Year." Ambler Gazette. July 31, 1941. Pages 1 & 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_18176.
"Emmy Simon Postcard Collection." Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.wvalleyhs.org/emmy-simon-postcard-collection/.
"First Presbyterian Church." Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/164769.
Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, v. 6, n. 26, 31, 39, 44 (1891): 431, 496, 624, 713.
"Presbyterians Plan Enlarged Edifice." Ambler Gazette. March 7, 1935. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_22943.
"Presbyterians Give Out Church Award." Ambler Gazette. May 16, 1935. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_23517.
"Presbyterians Plan For Rebuilding Work." Ambler Gazette. June 6, 1935. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_21841.
"Presbyterians Plan Home-Coming Service." Ambler Gazette. November 13, 1941. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_19556.
Smith, J.L. Montgomery County 1893, Ambler Borough, 1893.
"Town Topics." Ambler Gazette. December 21, 1922. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_9513.
"Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Social." Ambler Gazette. October 19, 1916. Page 5. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_7078.
"Whittock's Whitpain." Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://www.wvalleyhs.org/whittocks-whitpain/.
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