Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-21
FIRST GOVERNOR LIVED
IN FALLS OF SCHUYLKILL
Establishing of Methodist Church
in Falls Celebrated
This Week

The beautiful location Of the Falls Of
Schuylkill made It famous In its early his
tory as a place OF recreation and handsome
estates. II was the home Of Governor
Thomas Mfilm, the first Governor Of Penn
sylvania under the Constitution. who by
virtue Of his Office under the state was
first president Of the board Of trustees Of
the University Of Pennsylvania. \ neighbor-
ing estate was the home of the first provost
of "Old Penn" DR.. william Smith. Joseph
Neef, pupil of Pestalozzl, Of Switzerland
established his school at this historic VIII
lage, and all the public schools to this day
feel its good influence Tradition says the
Falls was the last place in Philadelphia de-
serted by the Indians. incidentally the vi.
lage was famous for catfish. The bill Of
fare at the famous old inns would make
Mr.. Hoover sit up and take notice If served
now for supper-"catfish. beefsteak, broied
chicken, waffies and coffee" In this historic
village there is always a celebration going
on a celebration Of the starting of a church
or society so or 100 years ago.
This week marks the celebration Of the
Falls Methodist Episcopal Church Queen
lane above Ridge avenue of the eightieth
anniversary OF the establishing Of a class
in Methodism in the Fairmount district
at the home Of Andrew Gilmore, Ridge
avenue and York streets. The Methodist
Episcopal Society was first recognized
by the Philadelphia Conference in 1888.
! and was connected with the Mount
| Zion Church, Manayunk, and continued in
| the care of that church until lSj5. when the
| Falls Church was organized. Like all the
churches at the Falls, its early meetings
| were held in the old Academy Building In
! order to have Methodist preaching every
| Sabbath day a building was purchased at
| James and Frederick streets and in three
| months and eleven days the alterations
were completed and the church dedicated.
1 The present edhce on Queen lane was
| opened for public service in 1873 and was
! completed and dedicated in 1915
This evening the oratoriO Of the Mes
| sah will be rendered by local talent, with
| Mr. Joseph Smith, conductor, and Miss l.
| Rachel Minsker organist Miss J.. Ruth
Swartley was the soloist on Wednesday
| Fifty-twO men left the Falls of Schuyl-
| kill last week for Berlin, in Germany. At
least the banners on the large trucks
| conveying them to the railroad station so
| informed their fellow townspeOple They
| were British recruits, and it was the largest
| delegation from any one section in the
/ state Mr.. James Dobson made a thrill
| ing patriotic address, and told them that
| positions would be ready In his works for
all who came back, and he hoped they
| All would The first stop on the road 10
| the Ksisers abode will be Canada. Mr..
Dobsons daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Dobson
| Altemus, has been an active worker in the
British recruiting mission and has been
| elected president Of the Ladies Auxiliary
| of the Citizens patriotic committee Of the
Fails. an organization that will look after
| the welfare of the Falls enlisted and
drafted men Of the United States army A
meeting of this auxiliary viii be held TO-
morrow night in odd Fellows Hall
The members of the Young Mems Lit
| srarv Institute opened their series of
| literary entertainments and dances on Sat-
| urday night in their hall on Midyale ave-
! nue. Mr. John Lally is president; Mr.
Robert Lee, vice president; MT Thomas
| GRADY. secretary, and Mr. John May, treas
|