One "Broad St Methodist Church" plus One "Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Equals "Drexel Hill Methodist Church"

 This is yesterdays "History Mystery" from the Delco Times and my collection. I have already had numerous people recognize it as the 400 block of Sharp Ave. the cross street is Inskeep. Thanks for all the help!!

The original Drexel Hill Trolley Station from 1912. I would like to thank the secretary of the Drexel Hill Methodist Church. She sent me a picture I wanted to use instead of this Trolley Station picture. Unfortunately the church picture was in a program my computer could not open and I had no luck trying to change the format. I'm not real good with computers

CHESTER TIMES 

October 26, 1923 

CORNERSTONE LAYING PROGRAM 

Ceremony at Drexel Hill Will Be an Important Event

          An event of interest to the older residents of Delaware County, and to Drexel Hill residents in particular will take place on Sunday afternoon when the cornerstone of the Broad Street Memorial Methodist Episcopal church will be laid at the site of the new edifice, Burmont and Bliss Avenues, Drexel Hill.  This new church is the result of the merging of two churches, the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church of Garrettford, which is one of the oldest churches of Delaware County, possibly numbering seventy-five years, and the old South Broad Street Methodist Church of Philadelphia.

          The congregation of the old Mount Pleasant church reorganized in the spring of 1922 under the direction of W. A. Ferguson, District Superintendent, with J. Russell Craig, the pastor-in-charge.  Meanwhile the South Broad Street Church sold its property and sought a place to erect a new church as a memorial to the old one.  The directors in charge selected the site at the corner of Burmont and Bliss Avenues, Drexel Hill as ideal, and it was agreed that the two congregations should unite in the new parish, which should be a vital memorial to both the old churches, although bearing the name Broad Street Memorial Church.

          Dr. Henry Hess, pastor of the Broad Street Church was appointed pastor of the new church, to be assisted by Mr. Craig, of the Mount Pleasant Church.  At the March Conference of the Methodist church the new congregation was recognized as the Broad Street Memorial Church of Drexel Hill.

          During the summer Dr. Hess became very ill and died June 22, 1923, at his summer home in Ocean Grove, N. J. The new church was unfortunate in this loss, but Mr. Craig took up the work at once and carried it on very ably until his business necessitated his removal to Pittsburgh in the latter part of July.  During August the church was supplied with student pastors, and the first week in September Dr. Ravil Smith of Philadelphia was appointed to the charge to serve until March 1924.  Dr. Smith is prominent in ministerial circles and had retired from active service when he was called upon to take the Broad Street Memorial Church.

          The new building is to be of gray stone, constructed along modern lines of church architecture.  It is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy early in March.  The pipe organ, windows, furnishings, pews, hymnals and such articles will be secured by private donations and memorials.  The Ladies’ Aid of the old Mount Pleasant Church is furnishing the basement as a memorial to that church.

          The program for the laying of the cornerstone on Sunday includes both morning and afternoon service.  Rally Day exercises will be held at a joint service of the Sunday school and church at 10:15 o’clock in the morning, in the Mount Pleasant Chapel.  The program for this service includes the Morning Prayer by John Paul, Sr., a soprano solo by Miss Marguerite Coyle, “Our Rally Day” by the beginners and primary departments, a duet, “The Lord Is My Shepherd” by Mrs. Walter Butterworth and Miss KI. Benkert, the offertory by the Calvary M.E. Orchestra and the sermon by Dr. Smith, pastor of the Broad Street Memorial Church.

          Following immediately after these services members who wish to will bring box lunches and spend the noon hour at the social luncheon in the church basement.  At 1 o’clock the congregation will gather and proceed to the site of the new church.

          Bishop Joseph Berry will officiate at the cornerstone laying services, which will commence at 1:30 o’clock promptly.  Dr. G. Bickley Burns, D. D., of Philadelphia.  District Superintendent will assist Bishop Berry.  The Brass Quartette will play the prelude followed by the recitation of the ritual and a hymn by the congregation.  Dr. Burns will deliver the prayer and lead the responsive reading of Psalm CXXXII.  Reverend Smith, pastor of the new church, will read the Scripture Lesson from I Corinthians 3, 9-17.  Following this Bishop Berry will give the sermon.  The cornerstone will then be laid and the services will close with the Doxology and the Benediction.

          The officers of the District Broad Street Memorial Church are as follows:  Presiding Bishop, Bishop Joseph Berry; District Superintendent, Dr. G. Bickley Burns, D. D.; Minister Rev. Ravil Smith, D. D.; Exhorter, John Jaul, Sr.  The Board of Trustees are David McBurney, president; Dr. William H. Manning, Vice-president; Thomas Bednal, Treasurer; Emil Bohn, Secretary; Clifford Frey, Financial Secretary; John T. Scott, Jr., Charles Kerns, John Paul Sr., Robert Kendall and James McKee.

          The Board of Stewards includes Dr. Milton Percival, Clifford Frey, William Kinsbury, William Robinson, Isaac Worrell and D. D. Woodruft.

          Officers of the Sunday school are Emil Bohn, Superintendent; Walter Butterworth, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Emil Bohn, Superintendent of Beginners Department; A. M. Black, Secretary; Charles Harner, Treasurer.  Clifford Frey is president of the Ladies’ Aid Society; Mrs. James Thornton, president of the Ladies’ Mite Society; Miss Martha Perry, president of the Women’s Home Missionary Society.

          The Building Committee consists of Emil Bohn, Chairman, Harry McBurney, Secretary, Robert Kendal, John Scott, Jr., and Walter Redding.

          The new Broad Street Memorial M. E. Church of Drexel Hiss is doubtless launching on a long and extremely prosperous career.  The joint congregations under the direction of Dr. Smith have splendid interest and vitality in taking up the year’s work, and the rebirth of the new church, from the two old congregations has every promise of a great future.