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Presbyterian Historical Society

Philadelphia, Arch Street Presbyterian Church

Published General Assembly records indicate that the Arch Street Presbyterian Church was organized on Arch Street above Tenth in 1850. According to Hall’s Index of American Presbyterian Congregations, the Eleventh Presbyterian Church changed its name to West Arch in 1855. The Arch Street and West Arch Street Presbyterian churches merged in 1897, and continue today as the Arch Street Presbyterian Church on Arch Street above 17th.  The society holds the following records of the Arch Street Presbyterian Church:

  • Arch Street Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records, 1838-2003, 12.50 cubic feet (Call number: 11 0520). Of interest to genealogists are the following:
    • Session minutes, 1850-1911 (2 v.).
    • Register, 1878-1909, transcribing 1829-1878, including baptisms, 1845-1909, marriages, 1884-1888, deaths, 1850-1889.
    • Register, 1939-2003, including baptisms, 1938-1996, marriages, 1939-1999, deaths, 1939-1993.
    • Compiled roll, typescript, 1920s.
    • Register, 1850-1897.
    • Roll, 1872.
    • Pew book, 1859-1864.
    • West Arch Street PC, Register, 1857-1878.
    • Roll, 1867-1893, transcribing 1831-1867.
    • Pew book, 1897-1906.
  • Pew registers, 1868-1870; 1871-1872; 1884-1890 (3 vols.) (Call number: Upper Vault V MI46 P452+)

We hold the following copy of records for West Arch Street Presbyterian Church:

  • Eleventh Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.). Charter and by-laws of the Eleventh Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pa. : [the Church] 1832. (Martin & Boden, printers). (Call number: Pam BX 9211.P49103 E402 1832)
  • Register, 1857-1878 (see above)
Sources:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Historical Survey Arch St. Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia County, Philadelphia, PA). Circa 1928. (Call number: MS In231). Includes list of records from both congregations.