Around the corner at 54th and Catharine Streets in West Philadelphia stands Wharton Wesley United Methodist Church. It is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith, resilience, and community.
Wharton Wesley’s story began in 1842. It started as Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church at 4th and Wharton Streets. Two thriving Methodist congregations, Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church and Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church, created it.
By 1900, many Wharton Street members moved to West Philadelphia. The church followed. It sold its old location to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 1907, the present building was dedicated. Philadelphia-born architect Wesley Lesher Blithe designed Wharton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. It features early stained glass windows by D’Ascenzo Studios. These treasures are still inside. The sanctuary has great acoustics.
Meanwhile, another congregation was growing nearby. In 1893, the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church formed. Rev. A. R. Shockley, George Raisen, Terry Alexander, and Noah Brisden were visionaries. The church thrived, moving several times to accommodate its growth.
As John Wesley grew, Wharton Memorial declined. In 1973, the two churches merged. This combined a declining Anglo American congregation with a thriving African American one. Rev. Herman T. Moody guided the transition. He persuaded the new congregation to invest in the current site. The merged church became Wharton Wesley United Methodist Church.
The building itself is remarkable. It has a sanctuary, chapel, Sunday school classrooms, and a fellowship hall. Several entrances allow multiple programs at once. There is valuable off-street parking.
However, challenges arose. In the 1970s, the United Methodist Church encouraged black congregations to acquire aging buildings from white congregations. This seemed like a godsend, but it became a financial burden. Wharton Wesley found itself with a costly building to maintain.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church recognized this injustice. It forgave millions in debt for nearly 30 African American churches. Wharton Wesley owed the conference about $400,000. The church had sacrificed ministries, like its food pantry, to pay its bills. Longtime member Lenora Thompson said they sacrificed in good faith.
Today, Wharton Wesley serves its community through various ministries. These include Helping Hands Ministry, grocery gift cards, and Girl Scouts. They partner with local schools and the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar. Fellowship opportunities include a New Members Class, Book Club, and United Methodist Women.
The church also partners with Sacred Places Civic Spaces. This organization helps congregations work with neighborhood stakeholders. Wharton Wesley is returning to its roots as a community-based church.
The congregation is smaller now. About 70 members attend services. Many travel from outside the neighborhood. High utility costs and aging infrastructure remain challenges. But Wharton Wesley’s spirit endures. It stands as a beacon of hope. Its story reflects faith, merger, debt, and forgiveness. It embodies community service. Wharton Wesley continues to serve.