“Final worship service on November 11.” Those words marked the end of an era for Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. Today we explore the story of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School. This church served Northeast Philadelphia for over a century.
In 1911 a small group of Lutherans sought to establish a congregation. They gathered in a rural part of Northeast Philadelphia. The pastor and members of Zion Lutheran Church of Olney assisted them. A Sunday School began on Cottman Street. It was on the second floor of a building between Rising Sun Avenue and Oxford Pike.
In 1913 ground was purchased. A wooden church building was erected at Cottman and Palmetto Streets. It was known as Immanuel Lutheran Church of Fox Chase. The congregation grew. A larger stone church building was built in 1926.
By 1956 the congregation was growing rapidly. An addition to the church building was planned. It would include a Parish Hall and Sunday School. This became the Immanuel Lutheran School Building. The congregation was renamed Immanuel Lutheran Church of Burholme.
In 1963 a new stone church was built on the 1926 foundation. In 1965 Castor Gardens Lutheran Church approached Immanuel. They wanted to rent the Parish House. Their Kindergarten through 8th grade school was growing. This arrangement lasted until 1965. The school then became Immanuel Lutheran School. It served children from Kindergarten through 8th grade.
After 107 years the community changed. Worship patterns evolved. Members moved away and some stopped driving. The large property became difficult to maintain. Monthly income did not cover expenses. Deficit spending reduced cash reserves. The congregation acknowledged the need to close on September 9, 2018. Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church held its final service. It was a service of thanksgiving. It honored the church’s life and witness in Northeast Philadelphia.
Immanuel’s legacy lives on. It lives through the lives impacted by the congregation. The school and the gift of property continue to serve. The SEPA Synod uses the property to build God’s kingdom.
Immanuel Lutheran Church made a difference. Its ministry connected people with God. It connected people with each other. It helped them achieve abundant life. Immanuel’s desire to make a difference came from God’s love. The church supported local food banks. It supported the ELCA’s international Disaster Response. Immanuel Lutheran Church met needs locally, nationally, and globally.
The Immanuel church family offered free events. These events were for neighbors in the Somerton area. Some were serious. Some were fun. Some were for all ages. Others were for children or adults. Immanuel Lutheran Church served its community well.