Elder W. A. Thompson, Pastor of the Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Philadelphia, officially organized the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church on December 17, 1955. At that time there was no Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the North Philadelphia area. Elder Thompson, along with 106 Charter Members, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, moved forward. We met for Prayer Meeting in different homes and our first official place of worship was in the lower auditorium of the Emmanuel Institutional Baptist Church. Pastor William Bentley and his congregation gladly opened their doors to us.
We had Missionary Volunteer (MV) or Adventist Youth Society Meetings (AYS) on Friday evenings and Worship Service on Sabbath mornings. Elder Thompson nurtured us as young sheep. His broad smile and encouraging manner was a welcoming sight. Elder Thompson, after a short stay, was called by the Conference to another part of the vineyard.
Elder Wilmont Fordham was our next Pastor and he continued to lead North Philadelphia and the Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church. He would invite different choirs to come in as part of the Worship Service and the church grew. Each meeting was a joyous occasion, somewhat like a family reunion.
In 1957, after Elder Fordham’s short tenure, we received Elder Charles L. Brooks as our Pastor. He was young and musically talented. He blessed the church with dynamic preaching and beautiful music. You dared not miss church because the congregation was small. If you did he would be at your doorsteps to see what the problem was. Elder Brooks saw the need for another place to worship because the church was growing rapidly. He sought out another place and the Pastor of the Jones Memorial Baptist Church on Dauphin Street opened their doors to us and we were very grateful.
The small church with a manicured lawn was ideal, but we were growing at such a rate it was soon too small. The hunt began once again. With much prayer, Elder Brooks found another church building at 1313 West Susquehanna Avenue, and on October 17, 1958 we made our third move. Our very own Church! Oh…what joy welled up in our hearts! God had shown us his love again. Our hearts overflowed with joy like a river. A few years later Elder Brooks was reassigned to the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to share his gifts in another capacity.
In 1961
Elder Leon Cox came to be our Shepherd. He saw the potential our new edifice had and he utilized it. There was a large lawn on the side of the church and its locality was near the main street, the subway, and also a bus route ran right past our door. Elder Cox arranged to have an evangelist meeting on the side of the church, and we continued to add to the church those who accepted Christ as Lord. The church was on an upward trend. We continued to have growth spurts and the Church was filling up fast. Elder Cox’s tenure ended in 1963.
In 1964
Elder William DeShay came as the new Shepherd. He came in with his quiet, gentle, but strong manner. He was instrumental, along with other ministers in the Philadelphia area in having evangelistic crusades with Elder Charles D. Brooks as the speaker; the Lord blessed tremendously and our church was bulging at the seams with membership reaching an all time high. Elder DeShay stayed with us until February 1966.
Elder J.C. Smith came in as our new pastor. He seemed to have on running shoes. He saw the over-crowded conditions and he started to look for a new place for worship. He found a large building, with beautiful Gothic design, built in 1892. The beauty of the building could not be readily seen at first sight, but Elder Smith had envisioned what it could be. The church was purchased and with Elder Smith at the helm and the members following closely, they worked untiringly together and repainted, sanded, and varnished the interior. We also had cushions made for the pews, cleaned the windows and the finishing touch was a large lighted cross made by Elder Smith which was placed on the back wall of the rostrum. The church was truly beautiful and the congregation was thankful again for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It was under Elder Smith that the church bought its first parsonage and a Community Services Building. He had such stamina and drive you had to be wide-awake to keep-up with him. He left in 1969.
Elder Paul Cantrell was our next Pastor. He came in, very quiet and reserved, but he was meticulous with a blackboard and a piece of chalk. His ministry was unique. While he never conducted evangelistic meetings, through his expert teaching methods and under the direction of the Holy Spirit baptisms continued and the church grew. It was under Elder Cantrell’s leadership that the church mortgage was liquidated. He was called to the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1975 to be the Conference Sabbath School Superintendent. The membership of the Church at that time was 876.
In 1975
Elder Roland Newman came to pastor North Philadelphia Church. His ministry was multi-dimensional. He was the first Pastor at North Philadelphia to mentor a young minister at our church. Elder Ronald Edmonds was our first Associate Pastor. Elder Newman also had a vision that we would not only grow inwardly but outwardly also. Along with Bible Workers and Elder Charles Jenkins, the Mizpah S.D.A. Church was established. Now the City of Philadelphia had a Seventh-day Adventist church at Germantown Avenue and Abbottsford Street. Elder Newman led both Churches until 1980. Elder Newman also relocated the parsonage from Wynnfield Avenue to Trooper Road.
In 1980
Elder Walter Pearson became our new pastor. He came in preaching and encouraged Cottage Meetings and many other ministries for spreading the Gospel. He was not selfish about sharing his pulpit; he invited various speakers to preach and to teach us. He visited and nurtured those who were in need. He conducted evangelistic meetings, Bible studies, and a television program. He also had the church remodeled. His dynamic preaching and programs under guidance of the Holy Spirit brought into the church many and the church grew by leaps and bounds. The church was faithful in reaching its financial goals with gifts to missions and support to our schools. The membership was over 1,000 and growing. Elder Pearson left our Conference to go into another area to continue his ministry.
In 1985
Elder J. Alfred Johnson returned to his hometown to pastor the North Philadelphia Church. He used his teaching ability to help the church write a mission statement and goals that we wanted to achieve. He held seminars to identify spiritual gifts and personality types. He was instrumental in mentoring Elder Maurice Taylor who is now a pastor. He also was instrumental in organizing the North Philadelphia Church’s 30th Anniversary celebration. He remained here until 1989.
On May of 1989 we received our immediate pastor,
Elder William E. Hall. He was also a homegrown son of Philadelphia. He came with his sleeves rolled up and ready to work. Elder Hall has been involved in all aspects of Ministry since he came to us. He has either held or been instrumental in numerous evangelistic meetings, and has conducted several seminars.
On October 11, 1991, Pastor Hall was given the devastating news that our beloved North Philadelphia Church had burned down. He came to the scene and got right to work to see that the congregation was kept together to continue worshipping God. The Pastor of National Temple Baptist at 16th & Master Streets came to Pastor Hall and offered our congregation the use of his Church for our Worship Service. We only stayed there a couple of weeks. The members were never left without a place of worship. The 4th move of the North Philadelphia body was to the Shiloh Apostolic Temple Church at 15th and Master Streets. Thanks to the pastors and congregation for their kindness.
Elder Hall wasn’t sitting idly by, but was working to find a place to call home that would meet our needs. Mother Divine had a building right across the street from our burned-out church. God blessed us and we were able to purchase this building. The members and Elder Hall cleaned, painted and fixed up the building and in 1993 we were able to move in. This was our 5th move. Elder Hall worked untiringly without the opportunity to grieve or relax. The building was occupied and paid for in a remarkably short period of time. Elder Hall also mentored four Pastors who are now ministering in the Lord’s vineyard on their own. Giving him much credit for the opportunity to learn and practice under his tutelage, were Pastor Henry Davis, Pastor Keith Goodman, Pastor Colby Matlock and Pastor Primitivo Davis who left us to serve as Chaplain in the United States Army.
Our Church todayElder Hall has continued to labor in the heat of the day and God has been a very present help, so that he is present and able to witness our occupation of our new edifice. Many who waited for this occasion now rest in the grave. On October 12, 2002 we marched into our new church. We who share this moment and the privilege of being a part of the 6th move of the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church want to say, "TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!" We pray that each one will be a part of the 7TH and final move to the New Earth.
I can still remember the ashes on October 10, 1991…The image is seared on the tablets of my mind: billowing smoke, shattered stained glass, fire fighters heroically working to save our former house of worship from the hungry, cruel flames. But their efforts, and our hopes, ultimately fell among the ashes, and our church family became homeless.
But those ashes, bitter though they were at the time, became the birthing ground of so many blessings. First, we learned that we were a part of a caring community as offers of support came from other churches in the neighborhood. In our discomfort we found comfort in the kindness of strangers…strangers that we are now privileged to call friends.
Moreover, the ashes of 1991 taught us that the Church is not the building. Although we lost our sanctuary to the flames on that fall day in “91”, we never lost our church! The Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church never missed a beat…not even a worship service was missed. The flames that some thought would destroy us only served to temper and test us, and today we stand stronger because of the ashes of 1991.
But the greatest blessing born amidst those ashes were the realization that we serve a God who answers prayers and keeps his promises. I remember our petitions for restoration offered to God with tears and anguish, as we yielded our selves to Him in sacrifice and hope. As the months became years we were challenged to hold on to those hopes, challenged to continue believing in the God who promises amidst the ashes. Storms of doubt arose, winds of frustration blew, and the passing of time tried us more than the ashes of 1991 had.
But today as we worship God in this House dedicated to His Glory, and as we welcome guests and friends into the beauty of His holy sanctuary, we are living proof that God keeps his word! God not only brought us through the wilderness, but He blessed us with a dynamic Associate Pastor William Taliaferro who is currently serving our church family and community.
So as you worship God in this House we invite you to join us in looking past the beauty of the artistry of the architecture, and beyond the craftsmanship that adorns this edifice. I implore you to move past the technology and science that lends comfort and convenience to this place of worship, and I humbly beg you not just to limit your sights to the simple works of mortar, brick, steel and glass, but to keep your eyes on GOD who has brought us to where we are today.
Pastor Hall Farewell Celebration
Sabbath, September 17, 2005, at the North Philadelphia Seventh-Day Adventist Church was a day to remember as our very own Pastor William Hall preached his final sermon after serving as Senior Pastor for sixteen years. The day started out with a vibrant Sabbath School worship with record attendance and participation, and then followed by our praise and worship service where songs of praise set the stage for the entrance of the Mass Choir and the Man of the hour Pastor William Hall.
It was a day like none other as our Conference Communications Secretary Elder Booker presented and commented on the works of Pastor Hall at the North Philly Church, our Mayor John F. Street was also on hand to present the Hall’s family with the Liberty Bowl, and gave a resounding speech.
Since the building of our new church; North Philadelphia has never seen a mass choir the magnitude of what we experienced on this day. The choir rendered three-songs; Every Mountain, It’s Only a Test, and Oh How Excellent. The heavenly Angel’s were on hand aiding these voices as the congregation meditated upon the words of the songs. Many thanks to Nichole Dawkins for teaching the parts to these songs and Beverly Jenkins for directing the choir, and thumbs to our Music Director Romel Coulibaly for organizing the music for this day. How could we forget Margaret Thomas our song bird who gave the final rendition leading to Pastor Hall final sermon. The Pastor’s sermon was very emotional and soul stirring as he reassured us that he will be gone from the building but his heart will always be with North Philly. To close the service out was a song rendition by Sidney Freeman that had everyone standing and praising God.
The sermon ended and we gathered in the Elliott Brooks Fellowship Hall for lunch where friends, families, and members came out to bid Pastor Hall and family farewell. The meal was like none other as we were filled to capacity. The Pastor’s family was well attended to by our hospitality staff. After lunch we again went into the sanctuary to prepare for the afternoon’s celebration. The program was well planned by Dianne-Medley Smith and hosted by Bruce Patterson and Karla Hall. The program featured all the branches of music groups and choirs in the church, along with various presentations from pastors, members, friends and well wishers.
The day was truly a blessing and the attendance was quite fitting for the occasion. Pastor Hall and family have served us for sixteen years, and as a church family we showed them that we cared by our gifts, remarks and talents. We will miss Pastor Hall and Family physically, but spiritually they will always be a part of North Philadelphia Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
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Pastor Keith Goodman Sr.
We the members of the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church welcome Pastor Keith Goodman Sr. and family on February 11, 2006.
Preacher, musician and civic leader Pastor Keith S. Goodman Sr. is a dedicated servant of Christ and His church. A native of the state of Oklahoma, Goodman was born on November 27, 1972 and was raised in a military family. The son of Ret. MSGT Fred and Mrs. Ivey Goodman and the last of their four children, he earned his B.A. degree from Oakwood College in 1996 and attended the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University from 1996 to 1998.
From 1996 to 1998, Goodman served as an intern at the Straford Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church under the tutelage of Dr. Charles D. Joseph, Sr. In January 1999, Goodman joined the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church as the assistant pastor to Elder William E. Hall, Sr. From December 1999 to January 2006, Goodman served as pastor of the Macedonia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 2005, he also ran for a seat on the Chester City Council. In February 2006, he was called again to serve the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church, this time as the senior pastor.
Goodman has a passion for social justice issues and for the people of the community beyond the walls of the church. While serving in Chester, he was instrumental in either developing or participating in the following:
- AMACHI – A mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents founded and directed by former Philadelphia Mayor, W. Wilson Goode. As Chester’s program founder and first coordinator, the program grew to include 11 participating churches under Goodman’s leadership.
- Sister-to-Sister – A two-week summer enrichment program for Chester girls ages eight to thirteen. In the program’s five-year history over 100 young ladies were served.
- Living Waters Broadcast (WPWA Praise 1590) – A radio ministry providing faith-based programming to the city of Chester and Delaware County. As speaker-director of the Living Waters Broadcast, Goodman was heard every Sunday morning at 11am giving inspirational messages of hope to residents across Chester and beyond.
- ActionPA.org – A Pennsylvania-based research, organizing and networking center for the grassroots environmental justice movement. As a local consultant, Goodman opened the doors of his church for environmental community meetings and took an active role in local environmental justice issues.
- 2004 Chester Clergy Voter Drive – A faith-based voter registration effort involving over 25 Chester churches. Goodman initiated this effort with the help of local NAACP leaders.
- Concerned Clergy of Chester – A small bipartisan, issue-oriented group of City clergy representing 5 community churches who met to address concerns in the City of Chester.
- NAACP – Member, Chester Branch
Goodman is an insightful, engaging preacher often bringing a fresh understanding to the familiar passages of Scripture and of the teachings of the church. He is also an accomplished musician and serves as coordinator of music for the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Additionally, he serves as secretary of the Delaware Valley Ministerium.
Goodman is married to the former Evelyn Fordham. They have two young sons, Keith Spencer Jr and Charles Winston.
