Guide to the First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records

Descriptive Summary

Title

First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records

Inclusive Dates

1769-1944

Bulk Dates

1793-1906

Call Number

RG 35

Creator(s)

First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Quantity

3.00 cubic feet

Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Administrative History

The First Presbyterian Church was organized around 1692. Religious services began in a building known as the "Barbadoes Warehouse," located on the northwest corner of Second and Chestnut Streets. For a time, both Baptists and Congregationalists shared this facility with the Presbyterians.

In 1704 the congregation moved to the south side of High Street (now Market Street) at the corner of Bank Street. Here the first Presbyterian church in Philadelphia was established. In 1729 the structure underwent enlargement with some assistance from Boston contributors. Then in 1793 it was renovated and made more spacious and elegant. Twenty-seven years later it was abandoned, due to unsafe conditions and the encroachment of the surrounding business district.

A new church was erected at Washington Square (Seventh and Locust Streets). At this church, in 1837, came the formation of the New School Assembly, from which emerged the Second Church. Its congregation received many generous contributions which enabled the construction of other churches and the establishment of the Presbyterian Hospital.

Collection Overview

This collection contains miscellaneous items dealing with the development and growth of the First Presbyterian Church. A diverse nature of administrative concerns are contained within. Included are items dealing with the church's history, such as correspondence, financial reports and miscellaneous documents.

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Corporate Subject

First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)--Archives.

First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)--History.

Geographic Subject

Philadelphia (Pa.)--Church history--19th century.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1a	Finding Aid to Record Group 35
	1	Early Presbyterianism in Philadelphia with some historic notes on the First Church
	2	Correspondence, 1865-99
	3	Correspondence, 1900-17, 1927, 1944
	4	Correspondence, Undated
	5	Correspondence, 1793-1864
	6	Correspondence, 1793-1864
	7-8	Treasurer's Reports, 1803-1905
	9	Treasurer's Reports, Undated
	10	Church Reports (committees, societies, etc. within church), 1793-1910
	11-12	Session Minutes, 1807-1909
	13	Deacon's Reports, 1903-04
	14	Baptisms, 1799-1885
	15	Baptisms (Pastor Lawrence M. Colfelt), 1874-84
	16	Marriage Records: 1890-91, Apr 1 1892-0ct 1 1895, Apr.1, 1896-Jul 1 1898, Jul 4 1898-Jan 2 1900, Apr 2, 1900-Oct 1 1903
	17	Marriage Records (continued)
	18	Persons with 1st Church 1774-ca.1803
	19	Deaths, 1827-28, 1900-02
	20	Constitution of the Howard, 1831-32; Annual Reports, 1875; Sunday School Society--lst Church
	21-22	Poor Fund Reports, 1830, 1843-1908, 1913
	23	Excerpts from 1st Church Committee Meetings, 1749-72, 1809-
	24	List of Church Trustees 1796-1840
	25	Correspondence of re-dissolution of 1st Church, ca.1928-
	26	Correspondence relating to the call of Rev. Alexander McClellan, ca.1829
	27	Correspondence relating to the call of Rev. Samuel Miller, July 23 1798
	28	Call of Rev. Albert Barnes, 1830
	29	Rev. Albert Barnes' resignation, 1852-55, 1867-70

		Correspondence re transfers to First Church

2	1	A-B
	2	C-E
	3	F-H
	4	I-M
	5	I-M
	6	N-R
	7	S-T
	8	U-Z
	9	A-C
	10	D-I
	11	J-N
	12	O-S
	13	T-Z
	14	Correspondence re cemetery, 1840s-70s
	15	Proposed sale of First Church burial ground (Fourth and Pine Streets), 1904
	16	Pewholders rights, 1806, 1871
	17	Applications for pews, 1798-1811
	18	Relinquishment of pews, 1808-79
	19	Exchange of pews, 1826-69
	20	Pew rents, 1797-1871
	21	First Church bells, 1820s, 1840s
	22	Contributions--Portrait of Ambrose White
	23	Memberships, additions to, 1904
	24	Legal matters, 1867-96
	25	Received in confession, 1904
	26	Managers' accounts First Church, 1793
	27	Albert Barnes memorial building
	28	Rev. Lawrence M. Colfelt--litigation against, resignation, etc., 1876-84
	29	Monthly concert collection records, 1831-65
	30	Music Committee (choirs, organ, correspondence)
	31	Singing School, 1810-11
	32	Circulars (scattered), 1829-93
	33	Estates & Wills, 1802-40
	35	Salaries, 1803-32
	36	Parsonage (insurance and bills), 1821-32

3	1	Subscription list, 1830
	2	Subscription list to the Church Building Fund, 1871
	3	Cash books: May 11, 1842-May 1,47; Dec 20, 1849-May 8, 1851
	4	Cash books: Jan 2, 1833-Apr, 1843; May 16, 1839-Dec. 2, 1841; May 10, 1842-Apr 2, 1849
	5	Receipt book, 1851-68
	6	Pew rents, 1836-1842 (1 volume)
	7	Cash books: May 10, 1852-Feb 3, 1862; Jan 12, 1882-Apr 10, 1886; June 2, 1889-May 5, 1890; Feb 3, 1890-May , 1894
	8	Cash books: May 11, 1847-Sept 8, 1849; May 10, 1851; May 5, 1852
	9	Cash book: Mar 22, 1897-July 31 1918
	10	American Home Missionary Society--Constitution, 1826, Subscribers, 1827-28
	11	Annual reports to Presbytery, 1852-1904
	12	Statistical reports, 1902-06
	13	Proposals for First Church--Market & Bank Streets, 1793
	14	Proposals for First Church's removal from Washington Square, 1870-72
	15	Funeral bills, etc. (scattered) 19th century
	16	Vouchers, 08-13
	17	Bills and receipts, 1769, 1778, 1783-1819
	18	Bills and receipts, 1769, 1778, 1783-1819
	19	Bills and receipts, 1793-1819
	20	Bills and receipts, 1793-1819
	21	Bills and receipts, 1820-22
	22	Bills and receipts, 1820-22
	23	Bills, receipts, taxes, 1823-41, 1893, 1896
	24	Bills, receipts, taxes, 1823-41, 1893, 1896
	25	Miscellaneous papers (majority l9th century)