Missionary Church

Rev. Ed Winslow initiated the Schwenkfelder Missionary Church with the blessing of the Schwenkfelder Ministerium and the General Conference of Schwenkfelder Churches in 1998. The Missionary Church met at 20th and Reed Streets in South Philadelphia at a Funeral Home.

The plan was for the Missionary Church to receive a substantial financial grant to begin its ministry. Then, the following two years, it would receive less funding from the then General Conference Mission Board as it worked to become independent. The goal from the beginning was the independent establishment of the Schwenkfelder Missionary Church in a stable location in Philadelphia reaching out to the needy.

In its time at the funeral home, the Schwenkfelder Missionary Church was in a stable and good spot for the ministry. Rent for the building was minimal. The funeral home also provided a good spot for Rev. Winslow to connect to the community. He was frequently called upon to conduct funerals for those who had no one else to turn to during grief. The home did not, however, provide a place for youth meetings or food outreach.

When Rev. Winslow died, the funeral home terminated the relationship with Schwenkfelder Missionary Church. The Executive Council was involved for a period of time prior to Ed's death in trying to coordinate a smooth and appropriate transition of leadership and then help with the next spot for the church.  Dr. David McKinley, who was serving on Executive Council was asked to assist Rev. Alfred in making new building arrangements.

The Schwenkfelder Missionary Church then moved to 1705 Point Breeze in South Philadelphia with Christ Magnetic Ministries. This association did not last long. When the building went up for auction, Schwenkfelder Missionary Church felt a decision needed to be made for its future location. The General Conference considered three buildings at that time, but it did not act to purchase any of these facilities.

Through the help of Dr. David McKinley and Drake Williams, Jr., a place was located in the Germantown section of the city at the Aulenbach Parish House. This facility is associated with Christ Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on 61 West Tulpohocken Street in Germantown. In April 2017, Rev. Alfred Duncan, Dr. David McKinley, and Drake Williams, Jr. wrote a letter requesting to rent the Aulenbach Parish House on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one weekday evening to hold a Bible study. The church has met in this facility from the summer of 2017 and continues to meet regularly. 

Outreach takes place twice a month through the Happy Hollow Recreation Center which is located at: 4800 Wayne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144. This takes place through the tireless efforts of Rev. Alfred and Phyllis Duncan and volunteers who join them for outreach.