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History

Our Story

Begun in 1896 as a Sunday School outreach to the northwest portion of the city by the First Church of the Brethren located at Carlise and Dauphin Streets near the present location of Temple University.

The Geiger congregation came into official existence in 1898 when it moved into its new building on the north east corner of 26th Street and Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1906 the congregation had grown so large that it was necessary to build an additional building. Mary S. Geiger who was instrumental in motivating the establishment of the original Sunday School had a new sanctuary built next to the Sunday School building with the congregation occupying that building in 1907. The congregation and buildings were named the Geiger Memorial Brethren Church in honor of Mary and in memory of her husband Henry who had died in 1885.

A succession of ministers pastored the church with the congregation reaching its peak in membership in the 1930's under the ministry of Rev. Norman W. Paullin. The congregation experienced gradual decline until it reached its lowest point in the summer of 1966. Since April of 1967 when the current pastor was called, the congregation has experienced a gradual strengthening during the forty years of his ministry.

The congregation, stronger now in doctrine, finances, faith, and determination, has endeavored to minister to people of all nationalities, races, color, or mental capacity. It currently is enjoying an expanded program with children and adults in the community and throughout the city.

Pastors of the Congregation

  1. Rev. Joseph W. Cline (April 29th, 1898 - 1900)
  2. Rev. Charles O. Beery (Nov. 1900 - Sept. 1901)
  3. Rev. Lewis M. Keim (Nov. 1, 1901 - 1905)
  4. Rev. Jacob T. Myers (Sept. 1905 - 1911)
  5. Rev. Arthur J. Culler ( 1911 - Aug. 1914)
  6. Rev. A. L. B. Martin (Fall 1914 - Aug. 1917)
  7. Rev. William Franklin Spidle (Oct. 1st, 1917 - 1919)
  8. Rev. George Dilling Kuns (Apr. 22nd 1918 - 1924)
  9. Rev. Ernest S. Coffman (Mar. 1st, 1924 - 1925)
  10. Rev. A. B. Miller (1925 - 1926)
  11. Rev. Quincy A. Holsopple (1926 - 1928)
  12. Rev. Oren Garner (1928 - 1928) Interim
  13. Rev. Norman W. Paullin (1929 - 1938)
  14. Rev. Joseph Edward Whitacre (Apr. 1, 1938 - Apr. 1st, 1940)
  15. Rev. John R. Kilbert (Sept. 27, 1940 - ?) Chaplain Kilbert, KIA Oct. 26th, 1944
  16. Rev. John T. Byler (Feb. 19th, 1945 - Fall 1946)
  17. Rev. David C. Moss (Jan 13th, 1947 - Sept. 1953)
  18. Rev. Orvel E. Hooker (Jan 29th , 1954 - 1958)
  19. Rev. Donald N. Miller (Sept. 19th 1958 - Dec. 25th 1960)
  20. Rev. Edwin F. Moyer (June 1961 - Oct. 2, 1966)
  21. Rev. Anthony DiBenedetto, Jr. (Apr. 17th 1967 - Nov. 26th 2016)
  22. Pastor Marco Silva (Oct. 20th 2019 - May. 24th 2020)
  23. Rev. Adarrel Omar Fisher (Jul. 1st 2021 - present) Interim