Tabernacle Baptist Church
The TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH was constituted in October, 1877, when the pastor and thirty-six of the members of the Tabernacle Church met in a building on Stevens Street, below Fifth, now the property of Hatch Post, No. 37, G. A. R., and formed the new organization. The original members were Rev. E. Dallas Stagers, William S. Kain, Rebecca A. Kain, William W. Kain, Isaac N. Hugg, M.D., Sallie D. Hugg, Rebecca S. Brooks, Harriet S. Brooks, Letitia R. Brooks, Abigail Brooks, Sallie M. S. Brooks, Ellen R. Brooks, Lavinia Brooks, Israel Pierson, Ermina Pierson, Martha Turner, Deborah Webster, Hannah Webster, Mary J. Cordrey, Mary V. S. Drury, Nettie Drury, Stacy Doran, Caroline Doran, Mary Jones, Rachel Griffin, Elizabeth Loughead, Amanda Letourneu, John Miller, Nettie Miller, Jane E. McCay, Abigail Platt, Emma Quick, Anna Quick, E. E. Wheeler, Emma Selah, Mary E. Fish.
Rev. E. D. Stagers was chosen pastor, William S. Kain and John Miller were elected deacons and William W. Kain church clerk.
The church was recognized by a council of Baptist Churches September 2, 1878, and remained in their first location until 1880, when they rented the church erected by the Broadway Baptist Church in 1870. The church at this time numbered sixty-eight members. Mr. Stagers continued as pastor until April 4, 1881, when he resigned and accepted a call to the Baptist Church at Woodstown, Salem County, where, on Sunday, November 27, 1881, as he finished his morning sermon, he was stricken with apoplexy and in a few moments died.
After Mr. Stagers left, the pulpit was supplied by several persons until 1882, when Isaac W. Bagley, a student at Lewisburg University and a licentiate of the Fourth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, accepted a call as stated supply and began his labors at that time. The church was in a languishing condition and the membership so scattered that less than twenty were found under Mr. Bagley’s ministry. However, the church revived and the membership increased.
April 4, 1886, the church elected trustees and became incorporated, having purchased the building (before that time rented) and with subscription lists sufficient to pay for it. Its seating capacity is between five and six hundred and its value is fifteen thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Bagley was ordained April 10, 1883, and became the pastor, which office he has since filled.
Deacons: William S. Kain, John Miller*, Datus Drury, Benjamin M. Denny, Thomas R. Arrison*, Theophilus Fox, William Stout, Thomas T. Ellis*, Mark Bareford*, William T. Spiegle*.
Clerks: William W. Kain, Leaman Eldridge, Jesse C. Dresser, Thomas I. Dunlap.*
Treasurers: Isaac N. Hugg, M.D., John Hobson, Theophilus Fox, Thomas R. Arrison, James W. Eldridge, John Dalley*.
The present officers, in addition to those above-marked with an asterisk (*) are: Trustees; George Leathwhite, J. Harry Knerr, William A. Taylor, John Dalbey, Robert H. Comey, George Lovewell, Thomas I. Dunlap; Chorister, Walter F. Wolfkeil; Organist, Anna E. Quint; Superintendent Sunday School, John Dalbey; Asst. Supt., P. W. D. Harvey; Secretary, Dallis Cann; Treasurer, T. I. Dunlap; Librarian, Orme W. Horner; Infant School Superintendent, Virginia Osier; Organist, Anna Wolfkeil.
From George Reeser Prowell’s History of Camden County, New Jersey, published in 1886.
Holy Week — 1932
from the Camden Courier-Post — March 19, 1932
His New Wife Found Him Out
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Bride of Two Weeks Discovers That Her Husband Is a Bigamist.
It has just been eleven months ago since Lewis K. Robinson, a real estate agent of Philadelphia, became acquainted with pretty Maggie Morris, of 426 Pine street, who has seen twenty-three blooming summers. To-day Lewis languishes in the city jail on the charge of bigamy. Their acquaintance ripened into friendship and from that to love, and on the second day of the present month they were married by the Rev. Isaac Bagley, of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Friday Mrs. Robinson No. 2 became aware of the fact that her gay lord had another wife living in Philadelphia. Saturday she confirmed the information and the result was that when Robinson returned to his Camden home that evening he was arrested by Policeman Streeper, of the Sixth ward. Robinson, when seen in his cell by an Inquirer reporter last night, first denied being previously married, but afterward admitted it and said he was expecting a divorce every day.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Home Building and Land Company, of Haddon Heights, Camden county, and the Western Pennsylvania Amusement Company filed articles of incorporation in the county clerk’s office yesterday.
The will of the late Assistant Tax Receiver Frank S. Jones was admitted to probate by Surrogate Reeves yesterday. His widow is named as executrix. There are no public bequests.
After the expenditure of several thousand dollars the Tabernacle Baptist Church will hold reopening services to-day. To-night a number of persons will be baptized.
Contractor Aaron Ward will begin work on the approaches to the Baird avenue bridge to-morrow. When the bridge is completed it will save fifteen minutes to East Side residents having business to transact in the lower section of the city.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Stricken with catarrhal jaundice, Rev. H. S. Kidd, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, was so ill he was unable to occupy his pulpit yesterday. Secretary William Cox, of the P. R. R. Y. M. C. A., spoke morning and evening.
At the First M. E. Church yesterday a sermon was preached by Rev Charles Henessy [sic] Newing, of Wyoming, Pa., a large congregation greeting him.
“The Claims of Christ Upon a Twentieth Century Man” was the subject of a sermon preached yesterday at the North Baptist Church by Rev Herbert L. White, of Hartford, Conn., who occupied the pulpit for Rev. M. J. Vosburgh, who is on his vacation.
An interesting service was held yesterday at the Bethany M. E. Church, in which Rev. J. G. Edwards, the pastor, gave a reception to twenty-eight members who were converted the past year.
Rev. M. M. Finch at Tabernacle Baptist
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Rev. M. M. Finch, one-time pastor here, addressed a large congregation at the Tabernacle Baptist Church yesterday. (Click image for PDF.)
David Griffiths Taken by Death
Camden Courier or Camden Post-Telegram —
David Griffiths, well-know [sic] in Camden Musical and church life died yesterday at his home, 1152 Princess Avenue in his 74th year.
Professor Griffiths was well know [sic] as a director of choirs having been in charge of the music at St. Paul’s; St. Stephen’s; Wiley M. E.; Tabernacle Baptist and Third Baptist churches. Many of Camden’s musicians owe their success to his careful teaching. He has taught music in Camden since 1890. He came to America in 1888, from England, where he graduated from the Wednesbury Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Griffiths was a composer of a number of splendid anthems and hymns, among them a masterpiece “Near the Cross O Let Me Linger,” which will be rendered at his funeral service.
The deceased leaves a wife and seven children. The sons, David, Jr., William, John, Frank E., and Frederick, will act as pall bearers. The daughters are Mrs. Lillie Hewitt and Mrs. Nellie Maguire. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev E. A. Miller, pastor of Union M. E. Church. Interment will be made at Harleigh Cemetery. Friends are invited to view the remains to-morrow evening, 7 to 10 o’clock. Undertakers B. F. Schroeder & Sons will conduct the burial.
More Laws Needed, Wiley Gathering Told by Mayor
Camden Courier-Post —
Bridgeton Ruler Hits Back at Critics Who Decry Modern Legislation
Picnic Today
Critics of the present regime of the United States, and those who declare they are governed by too many laws were answered last night by Mayor Linwood W. Erickson, of Bridgeton, at Wiley Mission, Third and Arch streets.
“We do not have laws enough,” the mayor shouted. “All laws are founded upon reason. All laws are for the protection of the weak against the transgression of the strong.
“All laws have but one common aim—to give to us that right guaranteed by our forefathers—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For that reason, I say to you, we do not have enough laws.”
Mayor Erickson, before addressing the crowd at the “indoor camp meeting,” spoke of his long friendship for Rev. John S. Hackett, pastor of Wiley M. E. Church, and founder and superintendent of the mission.
“He is a man who has the reverence of thousands,” Mayor Erickson said. “The best evidence he is doing good is seen in the fact that he is being criticized and investigated. The man who never does anything is never criticized. But for the man who is doing something, who is doing some good, there is always someone to criticize and try to tear down.
“When people stop criticizing me, I want them to count me out.
“Law and order are subjects not in tune with discussions of the day, especially in Camden County, and most certainly not in New Jersey. Law and order is distinguished from law enforcement, for law enforcement contemplates violation of the law, while law and order contemplates observance of the laws.
“We live in a world of laws. We cannot pass by the law without paying respects to the laws of God. Four of the Ten Commandments deal with the relationships that should exist between man and God, the other six deal with the relationships that should exist between man and his fellow men. Yet nine of the Ten Commandments are negative and only one positive.”
The chief musical program which started at 9.30 p.m., when the mission program was broadcast over WCAM, featured the Bridgeton string band of 18 pieces, directed by Leon Chew; the Cohansey Male Quartet; the Tabernacle Baptist Church choir, directed by Richard Quick, and the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church choir, directed by Philip Johnson.
Rev. Walter L. Hunt, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Broadway below Spruce Street, offered prayer. Bernard Poland, associate of Henri Scott, internationally known star of the Metropolitan and Chicago opera companies, sang several tenor solos.
Rev. George E. Morris, pastor of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church, also participated in the program.
The first bus for the all-day rally at Alcyon Park will leave at 9.30 a. m. today, and carry children of the Sunday school of Wiley M. E. Church for the annual picnic and outing. Other buses will leave during the day from the Mission.
During the afternoon and evening program Rev. Hackett and Mrs. Amy Unruhe, better known as “Amy of Chinatown,” will be the speakers, and the Wiley Broadcasters will present a “mock” radio program. Music will be furnished by the interchurch band of 75 pieces, directed by William Quemore. Donald Redding, musical leader of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, will have charge of the singing by a large choir.
Rev. Frank C. Maxwell, chaplain of the Camden County jail, and head of the Philadelphia Highway Mission and Jail Workers, will have charge of the program tonight at the old post office building.
Morning services will be held tomorrow at the church, and in the afternoon and evening at the old post office building. Part of the afternoon program will be broadcast over WCAM from 4 to 5 o’clock.
Rev. Harry Magonigal and Hayden Evans, blind gospel singers, will be featured at the “indoor camp meetings” each night next week.
First Baptist Church Begins 120th Anniversary Celebration
Camden Courier-Post —
Congregation Organized in Camden in 1818; Seminary Head Preaches
REUNION SERVICE TO BE HELD FRIDAY
Organized February 5, 1818, when Camden was a village of fewer than 900 residents, the First Baptist Church of Camden yesterday began celebration of its 120th anniversary. It will continue with special services and music Wednesday and Friday nights. The program was arranged by Rev. Elwood A. Harrar, pastor since 1922.
A large congregation attended the opening anniversary worship service at 10.30 a. m., in the church edifice, Fourth and Arch streets, which succeeded the first meeting house built in 1818 and the second erected in 1839.
The anniversary sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. James H. Franklin, president of Crozier Theological Seminary, Chester, Pa., of which Rev. Harrar is a trustee.
Citing the physical changes that have occurred in 120 years Dr. Franklin pointed out that the needs of man in respect to his moral character and human relationships have not changed and that the church is as necessary today as it ever was.
“The message of the church today must deal with all phases of human relationships, social, economic and political, as well as religious,” Dr. Franklin declared.
At this service there was music by the junior and senior choirs of the church.
Celebration in the Bible School, also in the morning, was prefaced by greetings from Randolph Cramer, president of the Camden County Council of Religious Education.
Mrs. Bennett Speaks
Mrs. Harold W. Bennett, wife of City Commissioner Bennett, spoke on missionary activities and exhibited curios from the Congo, Africa, where she was born, a daughter of missionary parents, and where a sister and a brother-in-law are now engaged in mission work. Rev. Chester A. Pennington was soloist and Miss Grace Hill violinist in a musical program.
The night service was a “Celebration in Music,” at which Rev. Harrar spoke on the place of music in religion. The Baseler Harp Ensemble, one of Philadelphia’s notable musical organizations, and the church choir provided the musical features of the celebration.
On Wednesday night the program includes a spiritual fellowship service, reception of new members and communion service.
Reunion Service Friday
Rev. Ivan Murray Rose, D.D., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, mother church of the Camden body, will address the congregation at an anniversary reunion service Friday night. Greetings will be received from the churches which have grown out of the Camden church. These greetings will be extended by the pastors of the various churches. They are as follows:
Rev. Walter S. Dunlop, North Church; Rev. Walter L. Hunt, Tabernacle Church; Rev. Culbert G. Rutenber, Linden Church; Rev. C. W. Dannenhower, Parkside Church; Rev. Antonio Galloppi, Italian Church; Rev. Paul Bramball, Laurel Springs Church; Rev. David J. Davis, Oaklyn Church, and Rev. Gilbert L. Guffin, Merchantville Church.
Officers of the First Baptist Church are Atlie M. Ward, president of board of trustees; F. Y. MacCullough, president board of deacons; Frank B. Gail, treasurer; Ida M. Subers, financial secretary; Howard H. Westcott, clerk; Raymond B. Heston, organist and director of choir and J. Alpheus V. Harker, Sunday School superintendent.