The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-30

M M1OIh ivy, WnlCn pace ne left on receiving call
from the congregation over which he at present
presldes. Mr.. Alston Is a fne-looking man, in
the prime Of life, and has the Reputation of
being an earnest and efficient pastor. Price,
the restaurateur, at Fourth and Chestnut streets,
is regular attendant at st. Thomas while
Dorsey, the celebrated caterer is seen there
quite frequently.
the city, belonging to four different branches
of that great body OF Christians. The most pro-
mnent among these Is
THE BETHEL CHURCH, on Sixth street, above
Lombard, which was founded in 1887, and is
the oldest colored church organization in Phi.
ladelpha. The father of the church was
Richard Allen, weli'to-do person, whose ashes
exercises were first held in blacksmith's shop,
the property of Richard Allen, on the site of
the present building. A few years after its
foundation there was split in the congrega-
ton, to which St. Thomas Episcopal Church
was indebted for its origin. Bethel is likewise
the parent church Of the African Methodist
Episcopal denomination, which has now total
mem bership of 100000. The church was rebuilt
in l845, and is now very neat and commOdious;
the audience.room, the walls OF which are
irescoed, having seating capacity OF about
two thousand. There Is large basement TO
the church, containing the pastors study and
various committee-rooms. There are HOO
members at present, and Sunday School,
with 28 teachers l72 scholars, and library of
GOO volumes. The church property is valued at
$50 600, notwithstanding which the pastors
salary is but $600-a fact of which our colored
thoroughly ashamed. Among the members are
Stephen Smith, the colored millionaire; Peter
Lewis, who is said to be worth S20, ,000 William
Scott who can boast of $4,000 in worldly
goods; and Henry Gordon and j. p. b. Eddy,
who possess about $1,000 each. The present
pastor is the Rev. James Holland native of
New Jersey, about sixty-three years of age, who
has reputation for great Christian worth and
zeal. He has been an active itinerant preacher
in this State and New Jersey during the past
sixteen years.
m n,
York avenue, has been in existence some forty
years. 1t is connected with the regular African
M. E. Church. The church property, which has
been greatly improved within the past twenty
years, is valued at $40, 900. The church has
membership Of 467, of whom ia have been
added within the past six weeks. The Sunday
School has ls teachers. l76 scholars, and a
library of 375 volumes. The pastor in the Rev.
r. P. Gibbs who was born free in the State of
Delaware, about thirty-four years ago, He has
an ordinary English education, and is very sue
cessful in the ministry. His salary is about
| $3.50. He is now exerting himself to organize a
Young Mems Christian Association among the
colored people OF the city. There are several
| men of means connected with this church.
among them a shoemaker bp the name of Simp-
| son, worth about $l0,000 who recently pur-
chased a house for the residence of the pastor.
The BRICK WESLEY CHURCH, on Lombard
street, near Sixth, belongs to the Zion branch
of the African NJ. E. Church. The organization
ls over fifty years old the present building
l40O persons. The whole property is valued at
$2l, 900. The church has 464 members, and the
Sunday School about 120 scholars. The present
pastor the Rev. j. 2. Hamer, native Of Mary
land, about so years of age, receives a salary of
| SOU. de has good common English educa-
tion, and is reputed to be an energetic pastor.
| THE ZoAR NJ. T.. CHURCH. on Brown street,
above Fourth, is connected with the regular
Methodist Episcopal Church of the North.
1t was founded about forty years ago, and is
| now IN q very prosperous condition, having
| Thn 10 u
Sl2, 900. The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Pierce, is a
man of limited education.
| TIE JOHN WESLEY CHURCH, on Shippen street,
| between seventh and Eighth, is also connected
with the regular M. E. Church. 1t was founded
| in 1874, by the Rev. George Valentine. The
property is worth about $4,000. The member
ship comprises only AZ persons. The Rev. Will
liam Brawdan is the pastor. He has no claim
to literary merit, and earns part of his liveli-
hood by white.washing.
PHE LITTLE WESLEY CHURCH, which belongs
to the African M e. denominations has a yerv
poor location, on Hurst street, between Lom-
bard and South. 1t is forty-siX years old. The
edihce, which was rebuilt sixteen years ago, is
valued at Sll, 900. 1t will seat 450 persons
The church has 80 members and the Sunday
School teachers, 40 scholars, and library Of
4SO volumes. The pastor Rev. william Wat
son, receives 5000 per annum. He was born a
slave in Delaware, is forty-eight years of age
tion.
The BETHEL CHURCH, on Oxford street. below
African M. E. Church. 1t was established
about thirty years ago. The present building,
which is very neat, has been recently erected
at at cost OF $4,000. 1t will seat $50 persons.
The church has 2l1 members AZ having been
recently added; the Sunday School has
teachers, l06 scholars, and a library of $50
Yolumes. The present pastor, the Rev. Joseph
ID. Smith, is of unmlxed African blood, and a
man Of decided ability. He is very popular
with the white people residing in the neghbor.
hood OF his church. He was born slave in
Maryland, is about ifty-eight years of age, and
mas oeen preaching some twelve years. What
ne mas In the way OF an education, which is by
no means insignificant, has been acq uired since
MS emancipation. He receives an annual
salary of $500.
The MT: PIsGAH CHURCH, on Locust street,
ABOVE Till, West Philadelphia, is another off
shoot OF the African Nj. b. Church, which has
been organized about 80 years. The building
VIII seat 200 persons, aud is valued at $4,000.
Ihe membership numbers l16 the Sunday
School has 100 scholars and library of $50
volumes. The pastor, Rev. Henry j. Rhodes,
was porn free, in Delaware, Is 80 years of age
and has good English education. His salary
is $3.50 per annum. The congregation PROPOSE
erecting a new church edifce, and have already
accumulated some money for that purpose.
THE ZION CITY MISSION, on Seventh street,
near Dickerson Is new enterprise, In connec-
ton with the African NJ. Il. Church. 1t was
established nine years ago by Stephen Smith
the colored millionaire, at a cost of S45OO
nearly all of which has been repaid by the con.
gregation, now numbering ninety persons In
the Sunday School there are 46 scholars. and a
library ot 23S volumes. The pastor is the Rev,
Iheooore Gould, native of New JERSEY about
40 years of age, and possessing a good English
education. Being blessed with a considerable
pe9oqperty Oh MIS- own he can afford to preach for
$3.50 per annum.
The LITTLE UNION CHURCH, on Minister street.
ABOVE Sixth, belongs to curious and eccentric
Tsce TIssce OF beings known as the African Union