Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-26
RELIGIOUS
IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA
BEING DEMOLISHED
Baptist Church at Broad and
Brown Streets to Be Replaced
by a Modern Office
Building
HAD NOTABLE HISTORY
Many Distinguished Presbyterian
Ministers Heard in
Its Pulpit

A religious and historical landmark
which for years welded powerful in
1uence in the molding Of the moral and
civic life of Philadelphia Is being torn
down at Broad and Brown streets to make
room for a modern Office building. II is
the old North Philadelphia Baptist
Church, so called because at the time OF
its erection as years ago II was the
fartherest church north in the city Be
yond the church building were fields, gar
dens and woods, with here and there
farmhouse.
The careers of some Of the most emil.
nent devlnes i'm the country were launched
In this ancient building, and their mess
ages frequently were heard throughout
the country. In times Of national stress
their voices were raised In support OF the
nation, and their influence was mighty III
the affairs of the city The founders OF
this ancient church included some of the
most prominent citizens of Philadelphia.
For many years Francis Rue. father of
Levi L. Rue. president of the Philadelphia
National Bank was superintendent OF
the Sunday school, and ntany other per-
sons of equal prominence participated ac-
lively in the affairs of the church.
The pastors of the church included such
notables as the Rev DIR. p. s. Henson, the
Rev. DIR. Lansing Burroughs the Rev. DR..
Il. l.. Magoon and the Rev DR.. Charles S.
Adams. Doctor Henson began his brill
liant career in the old building more than
so years ago. There are many Baptists in
Philadelphia who recollect the remarkable
breadth of intellect and wonderful perso-
nalty of this talented preacher. Later
Doctor Henson was called to Chicago, and
after brilliant career in that city went TO
Boston to become pastor of fremont Tenn
pie Many of the older Baptists can also
remember the great influence for right
eousness which was welded by Doctor Ma
goon.
The church gave many forceful figures
to the Baptist ministry. one of them was
the Rev. Dr. John H. Castle former pas
tor of the First Baptist Church In West
Philadelphia. He was called to Toronto.
Can. and while there assisted In found
ing McMasters University. He was presi-
dent of the university for many years.
Among the prominent laymen were Dea-
con George Nugent. who founded the Nu-
gent Home for Aged Baptist Ministers
in Germantown.
Other members of the church who later
entered the ministry are the Rev. DR.. j.
w. Curtis, the Rev. DIR. w p. Hellings
and the Rev Charles Miller.
The church was founded in 1874, and the
first pastor was the Rev. Doctor Bur
roughs. He held the pastorate for 10
years. and was succeeded by the Rev DIR.
Henry Day. who remained for five years.
The Rev. Doctor Henson was called In
1860, and he presided at the church for
seven years. He was succeeded by the
Rev. Doctor Magoon in 1867. Doctor Ma
COON remained until 1887. The oldest lv-
ing member of the church is Deacon
Charles Savldge. COS North 18th street He
Is more than 90 years old. The member
ship of the church dwindled away, and 1t
was purchased by Temple University 10
years ago For several years the building
was used by the university as settlement
house. Services were held there under the
direction of the university every Sunday
until about a year ago
In explaining the sale of the church the
Rev DR. Russell II. Conwell head of Tenn
pie University said today: we found
the property too great burden for US to
carry so we were obliged to sell It."