House Of Prayer Episcopal Church, Philadelphia
The church building was designed by noted New York City architect Emlen T. Littell (1838-1891), whose brother was its first rector. The completed church was consecrated on July 14, 1863, by Bishop William Bacon Stevens. The rectory was built in 1908, and a large parish house was added in 1925. In 1941, a "catacombs chapel" was installed in the basement by rector the Rev. Dr. Howard M. Stuckert.
A 1964 diocesan report described the Branchtown neighborhood as "formerly Jewish, now predominantly Negro." In 1964, the parish had 287 members. In 2022, the parish reported 25 members and 14 average Sunday attendance, with $12,917 in plate and pledge financial support.
The church has had a number of internal organizations, including Scouting groups for boys and girls, Episcopal Church Women, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew for men, the Girls' Friendly Society, and the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.
See also
- House of Prayer Episcopal Church and Rectory, Newark, New Jersey
- Episcopal House of Prayer, Diocese of Minnesota retreat center, Collegeville, Minnesota
- St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church, Tampa, Florida
References
- Directory of the House of Prayer, Branchtown (1910) from Philadelphia Studies
- Study of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania: House of Prayer, Branchtown (1964)
External links
- Official parish website
- Documents on the House of Prayer from Philadelphia Studies
- YouTube montage (2015)
- House of Prayer Cemetery from Find a Grave
- Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania