German Lutherans began arriving in Philadelphia in 1683. They worshiped in the churches of the Swedes until they could build their own church at 5th and Cherry Streets in 1748. Other mid-city Lutheran churches followed, but many of the Germans moved to South Philadelphia and the need for a church in that area soon was felt.

Emanuel grew out of a parochial school founded in 1847. The cornerstone of the building bears the date "29.juli 1868" and the Emanuel German Evangelical Lutheran Church was completed in 1869. The cost of the church, the parsonage and a "handsome steeple clock," built in Berlin the year before, was $97,859.28.

Emanuel Sanctuary, Fiftieth Anniversary View 28kb image (3" x 4")

The church prospered. For 90 years its steeple was a landmark for Philadelphians and for ships working their way up the Delaware, and the clock chimes resounded through the city streets.

During and after World War II, however, the area began to change. Reflecting this change, the first English language services were offered in 1940. Many of the German families moved away. The congregation at Emanuel dwindled to less than 200. The building became rundown and dilapidated. A year or two before the city announced plans to build Southwark Plaza, the low-cost housing development on the four blocks completely surrounding the church, the old Berlin-built clock stopped.

With the ground cleared for redevelopment (1950s), Emanuel is all that remains of a once-flourishing immigrant neighborhood. View 21.1kb file (2.5" x 3.5")

The year of decision was 1959. The church had to decide whether it would join the "Protestant exodus" from the city or remain behind and fight for its life. It chose to fight, and under the direction of the Rev. Carl A. Werner, made a commitment to return to active participation in the community.

German, the primary language of the church since its organization, was dropped. A major goal was the rediscovery of the full meaning of the church -- in worship, education and total stewardship of life. Emanuel became a full participant in the life of the surrounding community. Neighborhood groups, settlement houses, an Alcoholics Anonymous group, youth workers and civic bettermant organizations made use of the church's facilities. In addition to community involvement, the church served as a center for seamen whose ships anchored nearby at the piers. Sailors from around the world enjoyed the hispitality of the church and attended its services.

Procession of dedication View 22.8kb file (2.5" x 3.5") Service of dedication View 23.9kb file (2.5" x 3.5")

In conjunction with Emanuel's rebirth as a congregation and a focus for community leadership, a thorough renovation project was begun in the early 1960s. Costing $90,000 -- almost as much as the original construction cost -- the nave and the chancel were rebuilt. An area of the first floor was converted to a chapel. New copper louvres were placed in the steeple. The exterior and interior were painted and repaired as necessary.

An old pipe organ, built in the 1840s, was renovated and installed in the main church. The work was done by Emanuel's organist, Edwin Alan Ohl. When Ohl finished working on the organ, he took time out to look at the clock in the steeple. Although the gears were frozen solid, Ohl was able to clean the gears, replace the connecting rods and adjust the strikers, restoring the clock to operable condition.

The refurbished building was rededicated May 2, 1965.

For decades following the renovation of the building, Emanuel continued to serve its new neighbors with a variety of spiritual programs and social services. Membership declined, however, as the City of Philadelphia found itself unable to maintain the quality of life in Southwark Plaza. Many of its residents, including members of the Emanuel congregation, moved away. With two of the high rise towers and many of the townhomes vacant, Emanuel suffered as well as the rest of the neighborhood.

Louisa Groce (pink suit, center) and family, in a service of celebration of her enrollment at the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, July 1997. See this announcement at the Seminary site. (Click photo to view enlargement)

With support from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America headquarters and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Emanuel embarked on a second renewal program in the early 1990s. The hard work of Associate in Ministry Louisa Groce and the Church Council brought Emanuel its interim pastor, then mentoring pastor, Philip D. W. Krey, who also serves as Dean of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and its Pastor, Cornelius D. Eaddy. Emanuel has also forged a strategic alliance with Lutheran Children and Family Services, with whom it is collaborating on several community service projects, and with other community churches and social services groups to help guide the Southwark neighborhood through its rebirth and to help weave it into the fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods. LCFS director William G. Erat also served as Eaddy's mentoring pastor, from 2000-2002. [MORE PICTURES]

Emanuel is poised to be a witness to the Gospel and to the power of faith, and to be a resource for an important South Philadelphia community.

Note for family historians:
The baptismal records stored at the church go back to 1942. Please send a letter of inquiry and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. For older records, contact the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia. Other family history resources in the Philadelphia area include:

• Historical Society of Pennsylvania (now includes the Balch Institute for ethnic Studies)
• Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia City Archives