First African Presbyterian Church / Tabor Presbyterian Church site

Neighborhood:South

Address:
1800-1806 Catharine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Significance:
Founded in 1809, the First African Presbyterian congregation moved from its second home at 1642 Fitzwater Street (see entry) to this location near the end of World War II. According to Cooperman, the congregation followed in the footsteps of the Tabor Chapel congregation (whose former church it had taken over at 1642 Fitzwater Street), moving to another former Tabor building at this southwest corner of 18th and Catharine Streets. First African Presbyterian continued at this location until 1957, when the city condemned the structure as unsound and demolished it. The congregation then moved to 4159 W. Girard Avenue (see entry). The former church property on Catharine Street was recently redeveloped as rowhouses. To learn more about First African Presbyterian, visit http://www.firstafrican.us/

Type of Historic Resource:church

Extant: no