United Methodist Church of the Redeemer

From a tent to a towering testament of faith. That’s the incredible journey of the United Methodist Church of the Redeemer in Philadelphia. Let’s step back to 1910. A small group of Methodists gathered in the Lackey family home. They shared a dream. This dream was of a dedicated space for worship. Services continued in various homes. Soon they secured a plot of land at Cottman and Rising Sun Avenues. Their first sanctuary? A simple tent. Imagine the faithful gathering under canvas, their voices rising in hymns. The United Methodist Church of the Redeemer was taking root. By April 1911, their first building stood proudly on that very spot. The congregation thrived. They outgrew their initial space. In 1925, the church purchased land at Cottman and Lawndale Avenues. The entire building was moved to its new location. Growth continued, necessitating further expansion. A basement was added in 1933. A new sanctuary graced the site in 1949. An education wing followed in 1952. Finally, a parking lot completed the expansion in 1972. The United Methodist Church of the Redeemer wasn’t just growing physically. It was evolving denominationally. In 1968, the Methodist Episcopal and Evangelical United Brethren Churches merged. This union birthed the United Methodist Church of the Redeemer as we know it today. The church remains a beacon of faith in the Burholme community. It stands as a testament to the power of a small group with a big dream.