Join the $5 FOR THE FUTURE Campaign!
The $5 for the Future campaign has begun! What, you might ask, is this?
No doubt you have noticed certain building issues, such as the roof and windows, which need attention. $5 for the Future is the beginning of the program to fund the Friends of Arch Street 501c3 non-profit, separate from the church, whose sole mission is to preserve our beautiful building.
To kick off the drive, we are asking all members and friends to contribute $5 — or more. In this way, foundations and other funding sources to which we will appeal, will know we have a 100% participation rate among the members and friends of the Church. Contributions to Friends of Arch Street are tax deductible.
If you are worshipping in person, look for the bright yellow envelopes in the worship bulletin!
Or you can use our online giving portal to donate via e-check, credit card, Google Pay, PayPal or ApplePay. (Please note that this is separate from the donation link for the church.)
You can also mail a check to “Friends of Arch Street” to:
Friends of Arch Street
1724 Arch Street
Philadelphia PA 19103
Thank you for your support!
About the Friends of Arch Street
“In April 2022, the Friends of ASPC Revitalization and Modernization Ltd. was formed as a not-for-profit (501c3) corporation in the State of Pennsylvania independent of the Arch Street Presbyterian Church. The purpose of Friends of Arch Street is to raise funds in order to revitalize the historic buildings which will create space for the arts, social justice, education and other areas of concern in the City of Philadelphia. Friends of Arch Street grew out of the recognition of the broader community’s interest in preserving the historic property for non-sectarian purposes and as a means to share the costs of preserving the building.
Sylvia Watts McKinney serves as our Chair Person.
Past and ongoing activities
April, 2022 Design Charette
A charette to capture design ideas from the community for both Arch Street Presbyterian Church and the ASPC Manse buildings was led by Brawer and Hauptman, Architects in April 2022. Brawer and Haupmann
consolidated the results of the charette and presented an overall Master Plan to the Friends of ASPC and
Building committee members in June 2022.
consolidated the results of the charette and presented an overall Master Plan to the Friends of ASPC and
Building committee members in June 2022.
Based on feedback at the June meeting, an update to the Master Plan was issued and discussed in
September 2022. It broke the plan into two proposals. The first envisions updates to the entry, the lobby, the sanctuary, and the manse. The second was a more modest proposal to address some of the urgent needs of
repair for the building required by the City of Philadelphia and also modernizing items in need of repair or outdated, such as knob and tube wiring.
It was recommended that we move forward with the more modest proposal.
RACP
Arch Street Presbyterian Church submitted a proposal for funding from the State of Pennsylvania via the
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to help offset the cost of the repairs needed. We were granted a sum of up to $1,000,000 in matching funds which will distributed to us once the repairs are completed. While we are approved for the grant, in order to access funding, we need to have an appraisal of the property. Discussions were held with three appraisal firms. We selected Newmark Valuation & Advisory. Michael Silverman, Managing Director at Newmark, is our relationship manager. Michael Silverman, MAI, CRE, MRICS | Newmark (nmrk.com)
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to help offset the cost of the repairs needed. We were granted a sum of up to $1,000,000 in matching funds which will distributed to us once the repairs are completed. While we are approved for the grant, in order to access funding, we need to have an appraisal of the property. Discussions were held with three appraisal firms. We selected Newmark Valuation & Advisory. Michael Silverman, Managing Director at Newmark, is our relationship manager. Michael Silverman, MAI, CRE, MRICS | Newmark (nmrk.com)
Presbyterian Foundation
We work closely with the Presbyterian Foundation throughout this process. The staff has been instrumental in providing support on fundraising and bridge financing. It is anticipated that we will be able to obtain a bridge loan from the Presbyterian Foundation to support the expenditures needed for the overall repairs for the building.
Fund for Sacred Places
Since 2021, we have been working with and discussing our overall plans with the Fund for Sacred Places. They provide financial support for community-serving houses of worship. The Fund for Sacred Places is pleased with our overall progress and eager for us to submit an application for the upcoming year.
Administration and Finance
Board of Director Roles and Descriptions Roles and Responsibilities for the Board of Directors were reviewed and agreed upon.
Publication of Entity
In April 2022, we publicized the creation of the articles of incorporation for Friends of ASPC in two local papers per State of Pennsylvania rules of incorporation.
Last updated February 16, 2025