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Also naming the unit block of Malvern Avenue between North 63rd Street and Wynnewood Road as “Reverend Beatty Way” in recognition of the 65th Anniversary of Holy Cross Baptist Church and in honor of the dedicated service and tireless effort of its founding pastor, Reverend Joseph H. Beatty, Sr.
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WHEREAS, The Holy Cross Baptist Church was founded on Saturday, December 2, 1950 in the study of the pastor of White Rock Baptist Church with seven founding members: Reverend Joseph H. Beatty, Sr., Clara Meade Beatty, Willie Pearl Geiger, Mary Byrd, Robert Beatty, Thomas Oliver Beatty and Rosalie Beatty; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Joseph H. Beatty, Sr., a graduate of Virginia Seminary and College in Lynchburg was a true visionary, scholar, humanitarian and twice –born Christian who answered “the call” placed upon his heart to organize a Baptist church north of Market Street and west of 60th Street in West Philadelphia. He successfully fulfilled his call with the support of his family as founding members of the Church; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Beatty established the first church in the basement of a corner property located at 6137 Vine Street and in time moved to the first floor of that building becoming a store front church; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Beatty’s passionate sermons and community involvement steadily increased membership at the storefront church until it outgrew its capacity and on Sunday, June 17, 1967, church members marched two blocks to their new church building, a former factory that was purchased and renovated into the new Holy Cross Baptist Church located at 60th and Vine Streets.
WHEREAS, While ministering at this Vine Street location, Rev. Beatty was installed as the president of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity; and
WHEREAS, Once again the members outgrew the capacity of their building and in 1973, the church learned that Overbrook Baptist Church located at 63rd Street and Malvern Avenue was planning to move. After a successful report compiled by the Relocation Committee, the building became the new home for Holy Cross Baptist Church on March 3, 1974; and
WHEREAS, From its Malvern Avenue location, Holy Cross Baptist Church launched international mission outreach programs, community evangelism and cemented its commitment to the Progressive National Baptist Convention and other mission related programs and services that spread the practice and word of the Love of God; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, October 15, 1978, Rev. Beatty and members laid a cornerstone on the property at 63rd and Malvern Avenue and purchased the church annex at 1903 Wynnewood Road. In 1981, just seven years after the move into the building, the mortgage was paid in full and the payment booke was burned by the congregation; and
WHEREAS, Holy Cross Baptist Church witnessed unparalleled growth and activity during Rev. Beatty’s 42 years of visionary leadership and ministry until his retirement from the pastorate in 1992. In May 1993, the beloved founder Rev. Beatty was called home to be with the Lord; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the unit block of Malvern Avenue between North 63rd Street and Wynnewood Road as “Reverend Beatty Way” in recognition of the 65th Anniversary of Holy Cross Baptist Church and in honor of the dedicated service and tireless effort of its founding pastor, Reverend Joseph H. Beatty, Sr.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented Holy Cross Baptist Church as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body on the occasion of its 65th Anniversary. Congratulations!
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