Call Number:

02

Repository:

Presbyterian Historical Society

Extent:

8.5 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

1759-1940 (inclusive)

Creator:

Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Form:

Manuscripts

Abstract:

Presbyterians who favored the religious revivalism of George Whitefield organized a Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1743. This record group consists of records of the corporation, session, the Board of Trustees, and other organizations of the Church, dating from 1759 to 1940.

Presbyterians who favored the religious revivalism of George Whitefield organized a Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1743. Second was a “New Side” church as opposed to the “Old Side” First Presbyterian Church. For many years, the congregation worshipped in its building at Third and Arch streets, where the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. met in 1789. In 1837, the church moved to Seventh and Arch, and in 1872, to 21st and Walnut. In 1949, the congregation united with First Presbyterian Church.

This record group consists of records of the corporation, session, the Board of Trustees, and other organizations of the Church, two thirds of the material being the records of the Board of Trustees, its committees, and the treasurers, from 1759-1940. The bulk of the records covers the post-Revolutionary period through the nineteenth century. The records were created by the various lawyers, businessmen and physicians who served as elders, trustees, treasurers and members of committees. The records include correspondence, reports, accounts, bills, minutes and other records of the operation of the Church, and deal with as pew rentals, building construction and maintenance, management of the congregational school and the burial grounds, church finances and pulpit supply.

More information can be found on the Presbyterian Historical Society's website.