First African Presbyterian Church
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
First African Presbyterian Church was established in 1807 by the former slave, Reverend John Gloucester. First African Presbyterian Church was the first African American Presbyterian Congregation in America. Founded as First Colored Presbyterian, the congregation has been known as First African Presbyterian Church since 1966 and has worshipped at this building on Girard Avenue since 1957.
Images
First African Presbyterian Church is the Mother Church of African American Presbyterianism.
First African Presbyterian Church's current location at the corner of Girard Ave and N 42nd street in Philadelphia, PA,
First African Presbyterian Church predates the construction of its current residence by over 100 years
John Gloucester, a former slave, would become the founding minister of First African Presbyterian Church.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The first African American Presbyterian congregation in the United States Philadelphia's First African Presbyterian Church is located in a large Gothic stone building that features distinctive accented window within the building's front facade. FAPC's current sanctuary was constructed in the late 1950s Its front doors are currently painted red, creating a striking contrast between it and the gray stone exterior.
First African Presbyterian Church was established in 1807 by the former slave, Reverend John Gloucester. Gloucester was likely born into slavery in Tennessee in the year 1776. After receiving his freedom around the turn of the 19th century by his owner, Presbyterian minister Gideon Blackburn, Gloucester was commissioned by a Presbyterian Assembly in Lexington to preach the Christian faith to African African Americans. Gloucester later relocated to Philadelphia and began a career as a preacher, minister, and evangelist. Over the next few years, Gloucester's ministry grew leading to the foundation of First African Presbyterian Church. After preaching to local residents in 1807 and growing what would become his congregation, Gloucester preached sermons to over 120 people by 1811. Gloucester continued to work as a minister at First African Presbyterian Church until his death in 1822
The congregation first met at a building on the corner of 7th and Bainbridge Street. From 1879 to 1891, First African Presbyterian Church worshiped at 7th and Shippen. After selling that building and meeting at several temporary quarters, the church acquired a new sanctuary at 17th and Fitzwater Street. In 1943, the congregation acquired the former Tabor Presbyterian Church building at 18th and Christian Street. FAPC would eventually settle in its current location on Girard Avenue in 1957.
First African Presbyterian Church was established in 1807 by the former slave, Reverend John Gloucester. Gloucester was likely born into slavery in Tennessee in the year 1776. After receiving his freedom around the turn of the 19th century by his owner, Presbyterian minister Gideon Blackburn, Gloucester was commissioned by a Presbyterian Assembly in Lexington to preach the Christian faith to African African Americans. Gloucester later relocated to Philadelphia and began a career as a preacher, minister, and evangelist. Over the next few years, Gloucester's ministry grew leading to the foundation of First African Presbyterian Church. After preaching to local residents in 1807 and growing what would become his congregation, Gloucester preached sermons to over 120 people by 1811. Gloucester continued to work as a minister at First African Presbyterian Church until his death in 1822
The congregation first met at a building on the corner of 7th and Bainbridge Street. From 1879 to 1891, First African Presbyterian Church worshiped at 7th and Shippen. After selling that building and meeting at several temporary quarters, the church acquired a new sanctuary at 17th and Fitzwater Street. In 1943, the congregation acquired the former Tabor Presbyterian Church building at 18th and Christian Street. FAPC would eventually settle in its current location on Girard Avenue in 1957.
Sources
Rolph, Daniel. The Reverend John Gloucester: Former Slave Turned Presbyterian Minister. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. March 27, 2014. Accessed October 30, 2018. https://hsp.org/blogs/history-hits/the-reverend-john-gloucester-former-slave-turned-presbyterian-minister.
Caust-Ellenbogen, Celia. The Home of African American Presbyterianism. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. March 31, 2014. Accessed October 30, 2018. https://hsp.org/blogs/archival-adventures-in-small-repositories/the-home-of-african-american-presbyterianism.
Nielsen, Euell A.. First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1807- ). Black Past.Org. . . https://Blackpast.org/aah/first-african-presbyterian-church-philadelphia-pennsylvania-1807.
First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records. First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records. . Accessed October 30, 2018. http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/detail.html?id=PACSCL_HSP_JGS01.
Caust-Ellenbogen, Celia. The Home of African American Presbyterianism. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. March 31, 2014. Accessed October 30, 2018. https://hsp.org/blogs/archival-adventures-in-small-repositories/the-home-of-african-american-presbyterianism.
Nielsen, Euell A.. First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1807- ). Black Past.Org. . . https://Blackpast.org/aah/first-african-presbyterian-church-philadelphia-pennsylvania-1807.
First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records. First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records. . Accessed October 30, 2018. http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/detail.html?id=PACSCL_HSP_JGS01.