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Presbyterian Historical Society

Philadelphia, Temple/Central Presbyterian Church of Northern Liberties

According to the Historical Directory of Presbyterian Churches and Presbyteries of Greater Philadelphia, by Kenneth A. Hammonds (Philadelphia: PHS, 1993), Central Presbyterian Church of Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, was founded in 1835, when a group from the Penn Township Church splintered off to form their own congregation. In 1873, the church changed its name to Temple Presbyterian Church.

Records of the Temple Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa., deposited with the society which are most useful to genealogists include:

  • Church Registers, 1835-1958. 3 volumes including communicants, deaths, baptisms, marriages and elders. (Call number: V MI46 P5385tcr)
     
  • Baptismal and Membership Register. 1847-1870. 1 volume. (Call number: V MI46 P5173cb)
     
  • Pew rent records, 1872-1891. (Call number: V MI46 P5385tp)
     
  • Session minutes, 1870-1920; 1924-1971. 4 volumes including baptisms 1921-1925 and members, 1858-1925. (Call number: V MI46 P5385tm)
     
  • Directories, 1913, 1939. (Call number: PAM BX. 9211.P49122 T404)  


Other records include:

Church bulletins, The Temple Times, cash book, trustees minutes, constitution, floor plans, ladies aid society minutes, receipt books, men’s league records, record of weekly offerings, photographs, treasurer’s records, women’s guild minutes, name change decree, Christian endeavor society minutes, and Sabbath school records.

Temple is an active congregation, and may still hold some of their records. You may contact the clerk of session to discover which records they may have:

Temple Presbyterian Church
1300 N 7th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122