Tag: historical society of frankford

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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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MLK Day 2026 Free Market

The Historical Society of Frankford encourages support of our neighbors and partners Unique Dreams (https://www.uniquedreamsinc.com/), the 15th Police District, and It Takes One Village to Feed a Child (https://www.feed1child.org/) at their MLK Day 2026 Free Market, which will provide free food, clothing, and household goods at Unique Dreams headquarters at the historic Garsed Center, 4704 Leiper Street, January 19, 2026, 1-3 p.m. The 15th Police District is also collecting toiletries to be distributed at the event. Please drop off toiletries at the 15th Police District, 2831 Levick Street, prior to January 19.

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Historical Society December Meeting – Carol Smith

The Historical Society of Frankford is hosting Carol Smith, the archivist for both Christ Church and its Preservation Trust, at its meeting and lecture on December 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM.

She will demonstrate the Digitizing Philadelphia’s Historic Congregations website, and discuss individual records found during the project. The Digitizing the Records of Philadelphia’s Historic Congregations project demonstrates that dissension, political unrest, and social reform initiatives are not without past precedent. Vestry minutes, sacramental registers, account books, sermons and more from Philadelphia’s earliest congregations help interpret the social and political world Philadelphia’s 18th and 19th century worshippers at 17 congregations inhabited. A grant from the Council for Library and Information Resources, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, supported this multiyear project. Supplemental funds from other sources and harvesting of previously scanned materials brought in other records and today there are more than 141,000 records online.

Carol W. Smith is an independent curator and archivist who has worked with the Christ Church Archives since 2005. She has a BA in American Civilization and an MA in Material Culture from the University of Pennsylvania and is a certified archivist. In 2022 she received the Sister M. Claude Lane award from the Society of American Archivists for the Congregations project.

The meeting and lecture will occur at the HSF library/museum at 1507 Orthodox St, Philadelphia. The event is free and open to the public. Live stream also available at this link:  https://www.facebook.com/TheHistoricalSocietyofFrankford/.  Light refreshments will be served.

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

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The Lenape in Frankford

The regularly scheduled program of the Historical Society of Frankford, June 13, 2023, 7:30 pm, at 1507 Orthodox Street, will feature Adam DePaul, a member of the governing council of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.

Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul, Tribal Storykeeper and Director of Education for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, will discuss the past and present of the Lenape people in Pennsylvania. This will include pre-colonial life, relationships with William Penn, the era of Penn’s Sons and the Walking Purchase, the Lenape diaspora and where they are today, the Lenape who remained in their homeland and how they remained, and what the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is doing today to revitalize Lenape culture and continue their role as caretakers of the environment. Chief Adam will invite discussion and questions from the audience.

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A Frankford Christmas Stocking

The surprises of a Christmas stocking are the perfect analogy for the fruits of historical research. Retired archivist and history librarian Gail McCormick shares memories of Christmas past discovered in her research on Frankford’s Swedenborgian Church and families – many of whom are founding members of The Historical Society of Frankford.

 

A great presentation with high quality production values.