WHEREAS, The history of Second Baptist Church of Frankford is inseparable from the history of Black Frankford, beginning in 1869 when a small group of Black believers established a mission to serve Frankford’s Black Baptist community and growing into one of the institutions around which Black community life was built; and
WHEREAS, Second Baptist stands in the historic heart of Black Frankford alongside the Wilmot School, which educated Black children, and the Free Burying Ground of Frankford, where early Black residents, including early members of Second Baptist, were buried, both now recognized on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places; the City once rented Second Baptist’s basement for the Wilmot School, and the church later purchased the school and transformed it into the J.C. King Community Education Center, continuing its service to Frankford’s children and families; and
WHEREAS, During the pastorate of Rev. J.C. King, the present sanctuary was constructed in 1924-25, with members of this Black congregation pledging their own homes to help build it, reflecting the faith, sacrifice, and commitment that have sustained Second Baptist for generations; and
WHEREAS, As Frankford’s needs changed, Second Baptist’s ministry changed with them: Emancipation was commemorated; Nannie Helen Burroughs was welcomed; Cecil B. Moore, President of the Philadelphia NAACP, spoke about integration; and ministers and church leaders challenged police brutality and housing discrimination while advocating for redevelopment, civil rights, and the needs of Black residents throughout Frankford; and
WHEREAS, For more than 150 years, Second Baptist has remained a place of worship, education, leadership, and advocacy for Black Frankford-standing with the community when residents needed a place to worship, when Black children needed space to be educated, and when the community needed a voice to fight for its future;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and congratulates
Second Baptist Church of Frankford for its enduring faith, service, leadership, and advocacy, and for serving as a surviving witness to the development and history of Black Frankford. With appreciation for more than 150 years of service to the community, we extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Second Baptist Church as a symbol of the honor, respect, and admiration of the Council of the City of Philadelphia and the people of Philadelphia.
End