Category: Meetings and Events

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Historical Society May Meeting

The Historical Society of Frankford is pleased to host “Pastor Paul” A. Andell, the longtime pastor of
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frankford, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, who will
address the HSF May meeting on May 12, 2026, at 7:30 PM. Pastor Paul will speak about the
congregation’s history, its revival under his renewed leadership since 2020, and their plans for
continued service to the community.

Pastor Paul is the authoritative voice for the church, having served as associate and head pastor for
44 of its 100 years. Under his leadership, St. James developed a preschool and many
faith-enhancing ministries including Stephen’s Ministry. St. James became a more inclusive
community church as well and was the largest Lutheran church in Philadelphia, with 5 weekly
services. Having retired from St. James once in 2011, he was called back in 2020 to address a
leadership crisis threatening the congregation’s continued existence. On March 22nd of this year he
led the church in a jubilant centennial service. Now he and his congregation are looking to the
future.

Pastor Paul will also reflect on the church’s early years and pastors serving many thousands of
people, both in Frankford and the northeast, offering hospitality to the community through its
excellent preschool, scouting and youth programs, seniors groups, music and theater, numerous AA
and NA support groups, civic and multi-cultural activities, and many weekly worship opportunities.
This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Free off street parking will be
available across Orthodox Street at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be served
before and after the lecture.

About the Historical Society of Frankford:
Founded in 1905, the volunteers of the Historical Society of Frankford preserve and interpret the
history of Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

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Historical Society of Frankford to Host Community Arts Project

Historical Society of Frankford Hosts the Tacony Lab Community Arts Center
Northeast 250 Threads of History arts event

The Historical Society of Frankford (HSF) is pleased to host Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Tacony
LAB Community Art Center Northeast 250: Threads of History community arts project on Tuesday,
March 31 at 6:00 PM at the Society’s library/museum at 1507 Orthodox St, Philadelphia.

This project, part of the City’s US Semiquincentennial celebrations, will shine spotlights at several
venues on the history of Northeast Philadelphia and the many small organizations that keep that
history alive. Using the US flag as the organizing principle and creative inspiration, hands-on
artmaking activities at each event will engage communities with the idea of individual expression in
flags. Participants will have an opportunity to create an artwork to keep.

The Frankford event will also feature an exhibit of artifacts and documents from the HSF collection
related to Betsy Ross, the woman often portrayed as the creator of the flag, and her relatives in
Northeast Philly who preserved and promoted her life story, as well as a short presentation.

This event is free and open to the public. Off street parking will be available across Orthodox Street
at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be available.

About the Historical Society of Frankford: Founded in 1905, the Historical Society of Frankford preserves and interprets the history of
Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

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Kim Washington Frankford CDC to Speak at the Frankford Historical Society

The Historical Society of Frankford is pleased to have Kimberly Washington, Esq., Executive Director of the Frankford Community Development Corporation (FCDC), as the speaker at the Society’s March 2026 meeting. The lecture will occur on Tuesday, March 10th, at the Society’s library/museum located at 1507 Orthodox St, with doors opening at 7:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Off-street parking will be available across Orthodox Street at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be served.

In her talk Ms. Washington will visit the past, present and future of the FCDC, a charitable non-profit organization founded in 1993 with the purpose of improving living and business conditions in this historic neighborhood.

In the 26 years since, FCDC has worked to: support businesses along Frankford Avenue and elsewhere in the community; served as the official Neighborhood Advisory Committee linking the city Community Development Department to resident housing programs and commenting on zoning issues; assisting with workforce development and employment support; and promoting neighborhood planning and redevelopment.

With multiple programs well underway, FCDC has been the critical agency working to revive a community hard hit in recent decades by de-industrialization. Ms. Washington is well versed in the issues facing the Frankford neighborhood, having worked on them in several roles for the past 13 years. She will share her vision of a Frankford finally participating in the neighborhood revivals occurring throughout Philadelphia.

About the Historical Society of Frankford Founded in 1905, the Historical Society of Frankford preserves and interprets the history of Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

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Frankford Fall Festival Right Around the Corner!

From the Frankford CDC newsletter:

Join us at Frankford Pause Park on Saturday, September 20, from 12-5 pm, for an afternoon of entertainment, food, resources, and family-fun!

This community event is free, but registration is encouraged. Register online at: bit.ly/frankfordfallfestival.

Interested in sponsoring? Email mharris@frankfordcdc.org for more information.

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4912 Griscom Street New Housing

You are invited to Project HOME’s community info session about the upcoming new affordable housing project at 4912 Griscom Street on December 10, from 4:30pm to 5:45pm, at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Philadelphia, with snacks and beverages provided.

4912 Griscom from Google Maps