Philadelphia, John Chambers Memorial Chapel

The John Chambers Memorial Chapel (also known as John Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church) was established in 1902 with funding by John Wanamaker. It began as a mission of Bethany Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Presbytery of Philadelphia organized John Chambers Memorial as a separate congregation in 1962.  It dissolved in 2011.

Records of the John Chambers Presbyterian Church deposited with the society relevant to genealogists include:

• Baptismal records, 1910-1912, .04 cubic feet (Call number: Archives 00 0626a)
• Memorial minutes, 1946 (Call number: Archives 11 0722)
• Photographs and roll of servicemen, 1941-1945 (Call number: Archives 11 0722)
• Register, 1962-2006 (Call number: Archives 12 0610), including: baptisms, 1962-2006, marriages, 1962-1993, and deaths, 1962-2006.
• Roll, 1906-1935; including deaths, 1929-1931, baptisms, 1909-1934, marriages, 1910-1934.
• Session minutes, 1962-1970, 1974-1992 (Call number: Archives 11 0722)
• Session minutes, 1993-2011 (Call number: Archives 12 0610)

The society also holds the following records which do not necessarily contain genealogical information:  

• Addresses
• Annual reports
• Bylaws
• Church dedication
• Newsletters, annual reports
• Photographs
• Portraits
• Sunday school association minutes
• Vacation Bible school

It is the policy of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to restrict access to all official records on deposit at the Presbyterian Historical Society that are less than 50 years old. This restriction applies at the national, mid council, and congregation level. If researchers want to access official records less than 50 years old, we require that they secure written permission from the records’ owners. If this restriction will affect your research, please contact the reference staff at the Presbyterian Historical Society for further information.