Call Number:

25

Repository:

Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1891-2004 (inclusive)

Creator:

Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Abstract:

Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia was established in 1970 as a merger of Chelten Avenue United Methodist Church (founded as Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in 1886) and Trinity United Methodist Church (organized as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in 1900). The merged congregation met in the Chelten Avenue church building until it was discontinued in 2004. The Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church records, 1891-2004, are largely composed of records from Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, although some materials relate to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church or the merged congregation. It includes Quarterly Conference records, trustee minutes, official board minutes, administrative board and council minutes, Charge Conference materials, membership and vital records (marriages, baptisms, funerals), and a small amount of financial documents, church histories, photographs, and other materials.

Methodism is a protestant Christian faith based in the teachings of John Wesley (1703-1791), who preached "practical divinity," emphasis on Christian living, and putting faith and love into action. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1784 in Baltimore, Maryland with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as its first bishops and held its first general conference in 1792. In May of 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church; the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and the Methodist Protestant Church united to form the Methodist Church (U.S.). In 1946 the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New constitution) and the Evangelical Church united to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968 the Methodist Church (U.S.) and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united, forming the United Methodist Church (U.S.).

Originally the Haines Street Mission at Stenton and Haines Streets, Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was established in 1886. Its first chapel was built in 1887, and moved to 2145 E. Chelten Avenue at Wister Street in 1891.

In 1898, a meeting was held to establish a Methodist church in East Germantown (then Sommerville) for the African American community who previously traveled to the only black Methodist Church in Germantown, Janes Methodist Episcopal Church at East Haines Street and Belfield Avenue. In 1900 this was accomplished when Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was formally established. The congregation met in various homes and existing buildings until a church site was purchased on Woodstock Street. A cornerstone was laid in 1907.

In 1970, Chelten Avenue United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church merged to become Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church. The congregation met in the Chelten Avenue church building until it was discontinued in 2004.

This collection, dating from 1891 to 2004, is largely comprised of records from Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, although some materials relate to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church or the merged congregation, Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church. It includes Quarterly Conference records, trustee minutes, official board minutes, administrative board and council minutes, Charge Conference materials, membership and vital records (marriages, baptisms, funerals), and a small amount of financial documents, church histories, photographs, and other materials. A folder-level inventory for the collection is available.