Powelton Village: Five Churches Supporting the Community
The Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia is known for housing a unique blend of students, artists and activists but it is also home to a rich tapestry of religious organizations. One three-block stretch of Baring Street in the heart of the neighborhood, for example, is lined with four churches and a religious student center. […]
Poplar: Congregants Drawn To Church With Deep Roots In Neighborhood
Leslie Callahan can’t pinpoint a specific reason why people end up at her church, located on the southwest corner of Wallace and 10th streets. But she does know that once people walk through the front door, most become a member of St. Paul’s Baptist Church for life. “Many of our members have been here a […]
Activism: Rachel Winsberg Leads JVP Philly’s Outreach
Rachel Winsberg is helping lead the way for the Jewish community in Philadelphia. Jewish Voice For Peace (JVP) is a national, grassroots organization focusing on Jewish traditions and working for a just and lasting peace. The organization works in accordance to the principles of equality, human rights and international law for the people of Palestine and […]
Oxford Circle: Pastor Looks to Spread God’s Love Outside of Church
Growing up at 18th Street and Glenwood Avenue, Leonard M. Dow saw a community overcome by drugs. At the same time the crack cocaine epidemic gripped the nation, not sparing Dow’s North Philadelphia neighborhood. Manufacturing jobs left, causing rampant unemployment amongst labor workers. The effects were catastrophic. “I saw [the epidemic’s] impact families and destroying them, […]
Frankford: Keep The Faith In Frankford President Inspires Hope In Frankford’s Faithful
Since the closing of St. Joachim’s parish and Mater Dolorosa churches in the region three years ago, its members were given no choice but to merge into the Holy Innocents parish. However, for Keep The Faith In Frankford’s President and Executive Director Pat Smiley, the church’s closing showcased the strength its church members had on the […]
Fishtown: Jesse Gardner Opens Doors to Help Save St. Laurentius Church
Jesse Gardner is the key holder to the art gallery, Unsung Heroes . Here, at 2024 E. Arizona St., double life-sized painted portraits of firefighters hang on the walls. But on the first Friday of each month, Gardner’s gallery takes on a very different role as he welcomes Fishtown residents into his creative space. Even though he […]
South Philadelphia: Congregation Provides Unknown History to the Community
Walking down South Fourth Street, it can be easy to mistake The Little Shul for just another row home. Once inside, the history of the building quickly takes shape. Located at the corner of Fourth and McKean streets, The Little Shul, officially titled Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel, is the last remaining traditional synagogue in […]
South Philadelphia: Christ Church Reaching One Neighborhood at a Time
Love Christ, love each other, love our city. It is the motto pastor Jeff Boettcher of Christ Church South Philadelphia holds his congregation to. Boettcher’s goal is to get the community excited about the teachings of Jesus Christ. Boettcher has been preaching on 2nd and Moore streets for three years since relocating from New Jersey. Being […]
Northeast: Supermarket Closures Leave Food Pantries Scrambling
It was 8:40 a.m. on a recent sunny, spring-like day. In addition to the birds chirping, chatter could be heard as a line from the front of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church wrapped around Sackett Street onto Tyson Avenue. Many were gathering and waiting for the Feast of Justice’s Community Cupboard to open. Feast of […]
Frankford: Coming Together to Stop the Violence
Frankford residents take matters into their own hands. At a spring community meeting at St. Mark’s Church on Frankford Avenue, residents discussed the growing epidemic of violence in the neighborhood. According to Philadelphia Inquirer’s Crime in Philadelphia Database, 43 violent crimes occurred in Frankford from March 5th to April 4th, with a majority of them […]