South Camden Trust

The South Camden Trust Company was opened for business on April 2, 1921. Judge Ralph W.E. Donges was the first president; plumbing and heating contractor William J. Kelly was one of the charter directors. By the mid-1920s the bank was successful enough that a new building was called for. Architect Joseph Hettel of the firm Lackey & Hettel of Camden was selected to design the new building, to be built at the corner of Broadway & Ferry Avenue, across the street from Judge Donges’ boyhood home. Contractor James W. Draper began operations on the new banking house on Monday, March 1, 1926.

The bank did not survive, and by 1938 it had been vacant for years, and taxes were in arrears. A settlement was reached in early 1938.

By 1947 the building was the home of the First Italian Pentecostal Church. Although the building has changed hands over the years, it remains open as a church to this day.

The second largest account settled in January was the building formerly occupied by the South Camden Trust Company at 1800 Broadway. This was a compromise. In addition to waiving interest, the city reduced the principal from $11,824.31 to $10,000. The building had been idle for years.