Our Story

Philadelphia formed its first Methodist Society in 1767. We know that Bishop Francis Asbury traveled the King's Highway (Frankford Avenue) and preached along the route. The following entry was written in his diary, dated May 11, 1811: "Thursday, I preached at Holmesburg; there was a great rain, yet many people attended."

The Methodist Society was sufficiently organized by November 12, 1812, to take title to a piece of property at Hickory & Union Streets (now Stanwood & Erdrick Streets). Rev. Samuel Harvey took on its mortgage. The property was deeded to the Trustees for worship and a cemetery. In 1813, the cornerstone of the old Mount Zion Church was laid. The building of the Sanctuary was an early example of ecumenism. The Episcopalians and Baptists contributed to the cost so they could access the church when it was not being used.

The Society was operating under a charter only until October 2, 1843, when it was incorporated. Up to this time, each and all Trustees were responsible for all debts the Society incurred. From the laying of the cornerstone until about 1856, the church was part of a circuit that often included Frankford, Tacony, Bustleton, Bristol and Somerton. On May 25, 1857, the first quarterly conference for the Conference was held. 

Unfortunately, on Tuesday, March 17, 1874, the building, not the church, was destroyed by fire. Most of the church records were destroyed as well. After the fire, the cemetery was extended to cover the ground occupied by the building. The cemetery is still maintained but not in use now.

 Providently, on May 7, 1868, the present property on Bristol Pike north of Welsh Road (8118 Frankford Avenue) was purchased from the Joseph H. Brown estate. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on October 15, 1874. This is the building now in use. The Sunday School Room, called the Lecture Room, was added in 1875. 

 On March 31, 1905, the boiler exploded, heavily damaging the sanctuary and the roof. The stone wall remained. The organ and the pews were not damaged. Repairs and improvements were made and the church reopened for worship on September 17, 1905. The rare zinc ceiling remains visible in the sanctuary. 

 Since the boiler explosion, many renovations and improvements have been made to the church building. These include: in 1925, addition of a wing to the rear of the church for a kitchen, office space and Sunday School rooms; in 1946, a new altar area in the sanctuary; in 1950, expansion of the church basement to provide more Sunday School rooms; and in 1971, the present Allen electronic organ. 

  In 2010, we renovated some areas to become our Thrift Shop, Ann's Attic. Fellowship Hall is used for the King's Kitchen. The "Kitchen" serves a meal to anyone in need. Our church is in use all week as we minister to the needs of the community of Holmesburg. We take seriously Jesus' words, "when you have done for the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."