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Writer's pictureYen Ho

The Zion Baptist Church - Ambler, PA

The Zion Baptist Church was built years after the Emanuel Methodist Church was built on the same street. Most of the African Americans lived in this particular area, and revamped the church into their own throughout the 20th century.

 

The David Knipe Lot


The lot along Lindenwold Avenue near Butler Pike was owned by a well-known businessman named David Knipe (1832-1919). From Montgomery Township, David came to Ambler where he conducted a coal, lumber and feeding yard on North Main Street. He then sold his business to Joseph Stackhouse in 1873, and then he sold it to Joseph W. Craft where his lumber and coal yard operated for many years.


After selling his business in Ambler, he moved on to develop his business in Fort Washington. After 18 years, David retired, and returned to Ambler where he purchased a lot on Lindenwold Avenue.


NOTE: Prior to Ambler's incorporation, David purchased a lot on Butler Avenue and Main Street next to the coal, lumber and feeding yard.

Montgomery County 1893, Ambler Borough; J. L. Smith, Publisher
 

Settling on North Street


The Zion Baptist Church started from a small prayer group in 1895 who meet at one of the members' homes. The group was recognized, and the church was officially charted on May 7, 1906. The group occupied a building that was used as a meeting hall until it was caught on fire. As a result, they purchased another building lot, on Woodland Avenue right next to the David Knipe lot, where they built their church.

Clipping from Ambler Gazette (April 5, 1906): Page 4
Clipping from Ambler Gazette (October 22, 1908): Page 5
Clipping from Ambler Gazette (February 4, 1909): Page 5
Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., 1916, Plate 26; A. H. Mueller, Publisher

Displeased with the conditions of their new church on Woodland Avenue, they thought of an "economical" solution to purchase another building lot and construct another new church.


After David Knipe died in 1919, his administrator for his estate, George Hellings, sold his lot on North Street to the Zion Baptist church. Thus, construction has begun, selling their old church on Woodland Avenue. Henry P. Schneider was awarded the contract to build the church.

Clipping from Ambler Gazette (June 4, 1925): Page 4


Clipping from Ambler Gazette (December 11, 1919): Page 1




The cornerstone of the Zion Baptist church was laid on October 25, 1925. At the grand opening were visiting pastors from other local black churches like Caesar A. Edwards of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Dr. Richard V. Mattison attended the ceremony and presented an inspiring speech to the crowd. He even gave the church $500 to help them pay for the new church.

Montgomery County 1927 Reading Main Line Vol 1, Plate 029 - Ambler Borough 2, Upper Dublin Township 9; Frank H. M. Klinge, Publisher
Google Satellite Plan View: 14 North St, Ambler, PA 19002
Google Satellite Birdseye View: Looking East
 

Bibliography


"About Zion." Zion Church of Ambler. Accessed April 24, 2022. https://www.zionambler.org/about-zion.


"Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." DaftLogic. Accessed April 24, 2022. https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm.


Hough, Mary P. H. "Early history of Ambler 1682-1888." A Celebration of Women Writers. Accessed April 24, 2022. https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/hough/ambler/ambler.html.


"Local History Sketch. Interesting Local Matter Collected by 'E.M.' Some of the Business Section of Ambler--Isaac Thomas--Jonathan Lukens--David Knipe--Jacob Reiff--The 'Gazette' Building." Ambler Gazette. January 18, 1912. Page 4. http://digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wivp-gazett/id/6689/rec/1.



"Zion Church Lays Corner Stone." Ambler Gazette. October 29, 1925. Page 1. http://digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wivp-gazett/id/14425/rec/1.


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