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Early
in the 20th century, the Kensington neighborhood was considered
one of the great industrial districts in America. This section
of Philadelphia was crowded with mills, factories, breweries and
machine shops. As a result, this area of the city also became
the first stop for thousands of immigrants who used their trades
from the old country to make a new life in America. As part of
the Lutheran
Settlement House, as it celebrates its 100th year of service in
Philadelphia, provides a remarkable witness to the rich history
of immigration in the United
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In
1902, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was founded as the “Lutheran
Social Mission Society of Philadelphia,” a special urban
ministry of the Lutheran Church in southeastern Pennsylvania.
While a mission of the church, the Lutheran Settlement House has,
since its inception, served vulnerable children, adults, families,
and senior citizens living in inner city Philadelphia, regardless
of race or creed.
evolution of the settlement movement in the United States in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Lutheran Settlement House
has maintained a physical presence in its lower Kensington neighborhood
since the turn of the century. LSH found its permanent location
at 1340 Frankford 
Avenue
with the purchase of this property in 1911. 
States,
the ebb tide of the industrial revolution, the role of the church
in society, and the multifaceted face of Philadelphia. LSH continues
to address the complex needs of children, adults, and families
struggling to survive in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods
in the city.