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Fundraise with us at ASUMC inSPIREs:
An Evening at the Masonic Temple, Library, & Museum
Help us save our spire while enjoying an evening in the opulent and mysterious Masonic Temple! See our invitation below, and click here to register.
Why Now?
In 2019, a crane assisted inspection of our spire identified conditions that posed a potential life-safety hazard to pedestrians at street level. As a result, an UNSAFE CONDITION was placed on our building by the City of Philadelphia. To mitigate this danger the congregation erected scaffolding around the corners of Arch and Broad Streets and installed netting around the spire to prevent loose stone from falling.
While these safety precautions prevent any immediate danger, the spire must undergo major repairs to make the building safe and remove the UNSAFE CONDITION. Failure to address this immediate need will result in the forced closure of this historic church which has been an active community center in Philadelphia since 1865 and today, in 2023, provides a range of life-sustaining services to hundreds of our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors on a weekly basis including meals, laundry, showers, case management, etc..
Why does this building matter?
You may find yourself wondering, that sounds like a lot of money for an old building, why does it even matter? Along with being an active and engaged faith community Arch Street UMC is a unique and irreplaceable space in Center City Philadelphia for many reasons:
Historic Preservation
Arch Street UMC is the oldest building in Center Square predating City Hall and the Masonic Temple. Beginning construction in 1864, our building has seen historic Philadelphia events such as the construction and destruction of Board Street Station, Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession, the desegregation of our trolley system, and much more. We are a contributing property to the Center City historic district and a certified historic site by the Philadelphia Historic Commission. This building is a historic treasure and we will fight to ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Learn more about the history of Arch Street UMC by visiting our historic timeline or reaching out to erica@archstreetumc to set up a meeting with our church historian.
LGBTQ+ Affirming and Sanctuary Space
Arch Street UMC is a reconciling congregation meaning we affirm the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals into the church and work to repair the damage that has been done to this community by the church. As a sanctuary congregation we advocate for more equitable immigration policies. In 2016 the church became home to Javier who lived inside the church for almost a year advocating for a stay of deportation to gain time to schedule a fair review of his visa application.
A voice of justice and accountability directly next to Philadelphia’s City Hall
Arch Street UMC has never been shy in fighting for a more just world and advocating for more equitable and sustainable systems. We believe it is important to hold our political representatives accountable in caring for our most vulnerable neighbors. We have used our space in proximity to City Hall to host community organizers, unions, and activist groups all alligned with ASUMC’s justice-seeking values.
Caring for our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors
The community at ASUMC has spent over 50 years building a personal and trusting relationship with our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors in Center City Philadelphia. What started with a formerly unhoused congregation member making PB&J’s in the church has grown into our Sunday evening meal service, known as Grace Cafe, providing warm and nutritious meals to up to 200 people a night depending. In 2018, we created the nonprofit The Center-Philadelphia to help expand our care for our community and in 2020 our building opened as a drop-in center for unhoused and unsheltered people. Monday through Thursday we provide showers, laundry, case management, a clothing closet, food, etc.. We could not have accomplished this without the years of trust built with our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors. Additionally, our building is uniquely places at the intersection of public transit, municipal buildings and important health resources. There is no other space in Center City that could affordably continue to provide these services if our building was no longer here.
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