Guide to the Summer Evangelistic Committee of Philadelphia Presbytery Records

John H. Converse, John Wanamaker, and other prominent Presbyterian laymen in the Philadelphia area founded the Summer Evangelistic Committee in Philadelphia in 1899 for the purpose of carrying the Gospel to those out of touch with the Church and who otherwise would not likely come under its influence. The Committee adopted a plan of holding evangelistic meetings in tents, since this was cheaper and more practical than renting or building space. During the first year, five tents were set up for periods of two to four weeks; fifteen different locations were covered. Meetings were also conducted at the Chestnut Street pier.

In 1905 a children's rally was held, with 3000 children from every part of Philadelphia in attendance. Vacation Bible Schools were held beginning in the following year. A total of fourteen churches and missions were founded as a result of the Committee's efforts to spread to Gospel in parks and under canvas.

Preaching in tents was discontinued after 1922; from then on the Committee concentrated its efforts on open-air preaching and Bible schools. Tent meetings were resumed in 1942. In 1954 the Committee began radio and television broadcasting of sermons and evangelical programs, and in 1955 it started enlisting seminary students to work directly with inner city churches, particularly with the children of the congregations.