An unusual late nineteenth century structure once stood on the northwest corner of Front and Queen Streets in Queen Village.  This building had a fascinating origin, and was built by one of Philadelphia’s foremost architects.

The Churchmen’s Missionary Association for the Seamen in the Port of Philadelphia had already made “history” with its floating chapel called The Floating Church of the Redeemer. Nineteenth century lithographs show this strange sanctuary afloat in the Delaware River at the foot of Spruce Street. It was consecrated in 1849. The Association itself operated out of a Southwark building at Swanson and Catherine Streets.

The Board of Managers of the Association purchased the Front and Queen lot on February 12, 1872. Plans for a new church were drawn up in 1878 by architect Frank Furness. Furness lived from 1839 to 1912, and among the well known buildings designed by him throughout the city were the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station at 25th and Chestnut, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts at Broad and Cherry, the old main library on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania at 34th and Woodland Avenue and the pair of gatehouses at the entrance to the Philadelphia Zoo.

The new church of the Churchmen’s Missionary Association was constructed with Trenton Brownstone, and the cornerstone was laid on June 15th, 1878. On Sunday, January 5th, 1879, the Rt. Rev. Stevens read the Service of Consecration. Originally interdenominational, the Association became affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. The building served both as a Church and Mission Center for seamen and their families until 1922. At that time, the Churchmen’s Missionary Association was merged with the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia. The Furness building was sold to Mrs. Jones Wister who dedicated it to the service of the youth of South Philadelphia. Her nephew, Henry L. Levick, took charge or the facility which supervised a Boys’ Club for many years. The Club eventually became affiliated with the Crime Prevention Association of Philadelphia.

In the 1960s, the building was used briefly as the meeting place for the Queen Village Neighbors Association, and was also owned by Max Raab, of Villager fame. The building was historically certified but, unfortunately, burned down in 1974.