December 2010 Christmas Gathering

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Rev James F Reese, Catherine Adams

"Mother" Betty Nolan pictured enjoying her birthday cake. Mrs Nolan and Dorothy Burton celebrated their 93rd birthday at the Sept '11 chapter meeting

Re-internment Service 
of Founding Minister

In December 2008, the remains of Rev Stephen Gloucester and is wife were buried in the historical cemetery at Old Pine Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.  This re-interment service was led by Rev. Randy Barge, pastor of the Calvin Presbyterian Church, with participation from members of the First African and Lombard Central Presbyterian Churches, leaders and members of the Philadelphia Chapter of National Black Presbyterian Caucus and members of the Presbytery staff.

Stephen Gloucester was the eldest son of Rev. John Gloucester, founder of Black Presbyterian of First African Presbyterian Church.  In 1844, 75 members of the former Second African Presbyterian Church petitioned the Presbytery to be organized as The Central Colored Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. This congregation was organized by The Presbytery in July 1844 and installed Stephen H. Gloucester, as pastor. A new church was built and dedicated in 1848 and the congregation changed its name to Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church.

Their remains were discovered at the original location of Lombard Central Presbyterian Church by the new owner during construction.   The re-interment had to follow strict time-table guidelines once the historical authenticity was established, and an interment was done in December 2008 at Old Pine Presbyterian Church near the National Presbyterian Historical Society, officiated by the current Moderator of the Lombard Central Session, the Rev. Randy Barge, pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church. 

For more information on John & Stephen Gloucester go to:  http://www.phillyarchaeology.org/news/pp112208.htm