Immigration: St. Maron’s Church Brings Together Middle Eastern Immigrants For Prayer And Community
On Sunday mornings at St. Maron’s Church, congregants listen as Father Vince Farhat leads the liturgy, and afterward congregants come to the church hall for coffee and pastries. St. Maron’s has existed in South Philadelphia as a spiritual haven for Middle Eastern immigrants since the latter half of the 19th century and is currently made up […]
Center City: Freedom Church Keeps Their Young Crowd Engaged
Walking by the Prince Theater at 9 a.m. on a Sunday and you will wonder, “What are all those lights doing on so early?” That’s because Freedom Church is preparing for their weekly Sunday morning worship at 9:30 a.m. Rather than a formal church building, this parish uses the performing arts theater for its service, along with […]
Kensington: Buddy Osborn Fights … With Faith
The corner of Kensington Avenue and Somerset Street in Kensington is amongst the most notorious drug corners in the city. Heroin draws addicts and dealers, making it an open playing field for crime and violence, and for many, death. Around this corner is a building, which houses a man with a message that just might save his […]
Olney: Francis Festival Makes Its Way To Cardinal Dougherty High School
In celebration of Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, approximately 3,000 Vietnamese Roman Catholics gathered at Cardinal Dougherty High School to celebrate. “That’s not a church,” objected one child as his mother led him through the flag-festooned gates. The scene at the school doors defied his observation. Dozens of priests […]
Germantown: Pastor David Fitzgerald Compels People to Christ
Whether it’s through feeding the homeless or counseling community members, Pastor David Fitzgerald stands out in the Germantown region. In an area facing a plethora of societal issues, namely poverty, the pastor actively seeks to make change day and night. He and his wife, Jocelyn, co-founded Compelling People to Christ two years ago. It is only the […]
Germantown: Influencing the Community Through Religion
When you walk down Germantown’s antiquated cobblestone streets, you see a diverse pool of people from block to block. On one block you see people wearing Muslim clothing, and on another block you see people dressed in regular street wear. Christianity and Islam are the two dominating and integral religions in the Germantown community. Religion, in […]
South Philadelphia: CityLife Church Focuses On Giving Back To The Community
With its successful service initiatives, especially the ones that benefit the neighborhood public school and the less fortunate, CityLife Church in South Philadelphia is a becoming a part of the local Christian community. Founders Brad and Leah Leach established CityLife in 2011 as a place for local Christians to learn more about Jesus’s gospel and how to apply the teachings to their own […]
Hunting Park: Bike Shop Provides Convenience to Community
Simple Cycle, located at 4455 N. Sixth St., offers the community affordable used bikes to cruise through the neighborhood streets and around the 87 acres of open space in Hunting Park. Shop owner Daniel Helms said he based his organization on his passion for bicycles and his devotion to his religion – primarily the service […]
Hunting Park: Esperanza Health Center Provides Care for the Community
Along with an experienced bilingual staff, heath and wellness programs, and a connection to the Christian faith, the Esperanza Health Center has added a medical dispensary to its growing list of patient amenities. The Esperanza Health Center, located on the 4417 N. Sixth St., is a haven for residents who want their medical care and […]
Hunting Park: Healthcare Center Provides More Than Just Medical Treatment
Tucked away on an unassuming, hidden street that runs on a diagonal path, the Esperanza Health Center has been serving the Hunting Park neighborhood since December. Located on 4417 N. Sixth St., the primary-care facility is a key component of the community-wide revitalization that has positively affected the area in the last few years. The […]