Call Number:

12

Repository:

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

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1832-2007 (inclusive)

Creator:

Rehoboth Methodist Episcopal Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Abstract:

Rehoboth Methodist Episcopal Church in the Frankford Section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the "mother church" of Frankford Methodism. It traces its roots to the first "Methodist Society" in the community, established in 1829. In 2001, Rehoboth merged into Central United Methodist Church, which closed in 2005. The Rehoboth Methodist Episcopal Church records, 1832-2007, include financial records, membership and cemetery records, class lists, board and trustee minutes, anniversary materials, worship bulletins, newsletters, photographs, ephemera, and various other documents. Some materials have been microfilmed and are available at other repositories.

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.).

Rehoboth Methodist Episcopal Church in the Frankford Section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the "mother church" of Frankford Methodism. It traces its roots to the first "Methodist Society" in the community, consisting of thirty congregants under the ministry of two traveling preachers when established in 1829. Originally part of the Bristol Circuit, then the Germantown Circuit, the congregation became the self-sustaining Methodist Episcopal Church of Frankford in 1833. The name Rehoboth was adopted several years later. The congregation was also known as the Paul Street Church, because its 1834 church building was located on Paul Street above Torresdale Avenue. In 2001 the church merged into Frankford Central United Methodist Church, which closed in 2005.

The collection includes financial records, membership and cemetery records, class lists, board and trustee minutes, anniversary materials, worship bulletins, newsletters, photographs, ephemera, and various other documents dating from 1832 to 2007. Some materials have been microfilmed and are available at other repositories. A folder-level inventory for the collection is available.