Preservation Society
Mission & History
The Historic St. George’s Preservation Society was established in 2013 to preserve, restore, and maintain Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church’s buildings, collections, and grounds and to perpetuate the interpretation of its unique place in American history.
Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church (HSG) is the oldest house of Methodist worship in continuous use in America and its national significance is derived from the many notable developments in early American Methodism that occurred at HSG. Today many worshippers, researchers, and tourists visit annually. Known as the “Cradle of American Methodism”, HSG is the home of such Methodist luminaries as Francis Asbury, Capt. Thomas Webb, Anna Jarvis, and Bishop Fred Corson. Historic St. George’s UMC is a Heritage Landmark of The United Methodist Church, a registered site on the National Register for Historic Places, a pending site for National Landmark status, and a part of the Independence National Historical Park.
Beginning in 2007, Historic St. George’s engaged noted preservation specialists John Milner Architects, along with engineers and historical advisors, to create a Master Architectural Plan that would identify and prioritize architectural, structural and remediation work as well as important safety upgrades. In 2014, John Milner Architects was engaged to study the negative impact of water intrusion on the church complex.
Over the past few years, we have completed certain property improvements that could not wait including: attic roof truss reinforcement; safety and security upgrades; boiler and chimney upgrade; and selective lead-based paint and mold remediation. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, contributions from individuals, and an allocation from reserve funds, we have invested more than $300,000 to rectify a number of issues identified in the Master Architectural Plan. In 2017, we completed necessary structural work to save the south wall of the Sanctuary building, which has suffered damage from its proximity to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge some 14 feet away.
Please join The Historic St. George’s Preservation Society and make a donation to support our capital efforts so HSG can continue to tell the story of American Methodism!
Join our
Board of Directors
Rev. William B. Wilson, Sr, Chairman
Rev. Alfred (Fred) T. Day, III, Vice Chairman
Rev. Mark Young, Secretary
Ken Price, Treasurer
Chanda Miller
J.T. Hurd
Sue Price
Rev. Dr. Robert Williams
Consultants (Advisory): Frank Renshaw, Brian McCoskey, Betty Marmon & Tay Adams
Contact
235 N. 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.925.7788
director@historicstgeorges.org or pastorbill@historicstgeorges.org