Quarterly Crier - Spring 2023

A historic QV treasure embodies two centuries’ worth of adaptive and religious reuse.

New renovations preserve Old Pine Church.

A tribute to the trees of Queen Village—and some tips on their care and feeding.

and About

A new QV restaurant has discovered the formula for unequaled vegan dining.

Nebinger and Meredith invite QV neighbors to their spring fundraising fairs.

Back in the day, Robert Smith was the Colonies’ foremost master builder/architect.

St . Philip Neri Parish

Ho ly Week Schedule

VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 1

SPRING 2023

Online at QVNA.org/crier

PUBLISHER

Queen Village Neighbors Association

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Eleanor Ingersoll president@qvna.org

MANAGING EDITOR

Nancy Brokaw editor@qvna.org

PROOFREADERS

Jamie Bischoff

Jake Peterson

DESIGNER

Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net

AD SALES advertising@qvna.org

215.339.0975 qvna.org/advertise

QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2023–2024 TERM)

OFFICERS:

Cait Allen – PRESIDENT

Chris Mullen – VICE PRESIDENT

Matt Atkins – SECRETARY

Philip Holzhauer – TREASURER

DIRECTORS:

Dan Doyle

Don Finley

Mae Johnson

Mike McPhilmy

Craig Morton

Daniel Orr

Noah Swistak

Christine Larash Torcivia

EMERITUS DIRECTORS (BOARD SERVICE):

Kathy Conway

(1983 - 2003)

Inez Green

Michael Hauptman

Marian Buczek (1991 - 2003)

OFFICE: 709 S. 5th Street

EMAIL QVNA: WeCare@QVNA.org

CALL OR TEXT: 215.339.0975

© Copyright 2023. Queen Village Neighbors Association. All rights reserved.

Direct: 267-225-3678

Office: 215-627-3500

deidre@deidrequinn.com deidrequinn.com

1619 Walnut St, 5th FL Philadelphia, PA 19103

"We needed to relocate and sell our house with a quick turnaround. A friend connected us to Deidre and she fantastic. She quickly got to work in our property, walked us through every step of the process and was always available to help us along the way. Not sure how, but Deidre was able to not only secure us an offer even before we went live with the listing and ended up getting many more offers within 24 hours of listing, all at or above asking. Needless to say we were very satisfied with the quality of her work, pricing and speed. If I'm ever in the Philly or surrounding market, she'll be the first person I would reach out to."

-Michael H.

Contributors

Michael Allen and his wife, Cait, joined the Queen Village community in March 2019. Michael is chief operating officer of Wills Eye Hospital, and Cait is the director of engagement at the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority and the current QVNA president.

Austin Bening thinks Queen Village is pretty cool. He makes videos and writes things for a living. He smells nice sometimes.

Jamie Bischoff is an editor and retired copyright and trademark lawyer, who has lived in Queen Village for the past 37 years.

A Row House blogger, Suzanne Dreitlein has been a Queen Village resident since 2007. She enjoys living in a 19th-century row cottage, wearing 18thcentury clothing, and writing about the great things going on in QV!

Shannon Maldonado is the founder and creative director of the home and lifestyle shop YOWIE. As an entrepreneur and board member of both the Fleisher Art Memorial and the South Street Headhouse District, Shannon seeks to create an intersection between creativity, community, emerging artists, and makers. YOWIE is

located at 716 S. 4th Street. Their upcoming flagship will open at 226 South Street later this year.

Friends of Jefferson Square Park volunteer Nicole Michaud has been volunteering with the group since 2016. She conducts volunteer winter pruning throughout the park as well as identifying and removing spotted lanternfly eggs an endless labor of love.

A certified tour guide, Jim Murphy is the author of Real Philly History, Real Fast, published by Temple University Press. His free history blog is available at realphillyhistory.com.

Donna Pancari has been a neighbor to Weccacoe Playground since 2005. She and her husband, Kevin Parker, have volunteered with the Friends of Weccacoe for 15 years and also volunteer their time to manage the signups for the tennis court. In 2021, Donna and Kevin took over as co-chairs of the FOW and today organize regular cleanups of the grounds and support tennis activities.

Hilary Young is a Queen Village mom and owner of Hilary Young Creative, a brand strategy and marketing consultancy.

Maureen Brady Weir is a resident of Queen Village and a member of The Friends of Moyamensing Point. A communications director by trade, she is currently working towards her certification as a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist. Contact Maureen directly at mbradyweir@gmail.com. For more information on the PA Master Naturalist program visit pamasternaturalist.org.

Formally trained in cultural anthropology and clinical social work, Margie Weiner now focuses on researching and writing historically oriented features for neighborhood publications like News of Academy House and Center City Quarterly. A former Queen Village resident of Little Monroe Street, she found researching the Neziner building was the culmination of a long-time fascination with the building.

Karen Winey moved into Philadelphia in 1992 and joined Old Pine Church in 2016. There, along with members and small-business owners Robin Goldfedder and Wolf Arendt, they began looking for ways to connect with the community, particularly during these exciting renovations designed to preserve the building and improve access. ■

The New Guard

By Cait Allen, QVNA President

Why Be a QVNA Member?

To my fellow Villagers, It’s a pleasure to meet you!

I’m Cait Allen, the new president of the Queen Village Neighbors Association (QVNA). Our former president, Eleanor Ingersoll, stepped down after steering the ship for almost six years. (Thank you for your service!)

I’m thrilled and humbled for this opportunity and look forward to serving the neighborhood.

For everyone whom I haven’t yet met, a little bit about me:

My husband and I moved to the Village in April 2019. It quickly became apparent that we live in the best neighborhood in Philly, and we wanted to do whatever we could to help. So, I reached out to QVNA that June for opportunities to volunteer drafting articles for the Queen Village Crier and participating in neighborhood clean-ups. After about a year, I joined the board, first as a director, then as treasurer and vice president.

Now that I’m sitting in the big chair, I want to build upon the Association’s past successes and make sure we’re wellpositioned to support the residents of Queen Village.

My main goals center on bolstering the quality of life for my fellow Villagers: helping our commercial corridors thrive by partnering with our surrounding neighborhood associations and business district, developing fun and quirky programs like last year’s art gallery crawl (Tour d’Art) and the Great Pumpkin Carving Contest, and investing in ways to make the neighborhood feel safer and more beautiful, like landscaping and lighting.

Also joining me in these efforts are my fantastic executive committee Vice President Chris Mullen, Treasurer Phil Holzhauer, Secretary Matt Atkins and the rest of the board of directors: Danny Doyle, Don Finley, Mae Johnson, Mike McPhilmy, Craig Morton, Dan Orr, Noah Swistak, and Christine Torcivia. They’ve been working tirelessly to help our neighborhood!

Looking forward to seeing you around the Village!

Cait Allen

Friendly Persuasion

The Friends of Shot Tower welcome a new generation of neighbors and volunteers.

By Austin Bening

Queen Village’s Shot Tower stands as South Philly’s buckshot Space Needle, reaching just high enough to peak over the highway. One often notices it on the way to Target or on a clandestine off-leash dog walk to Old Swedes’—or one may even be reminded of its presence between sips of perfectly foamed lattes at Shot Tower Coffee. But to its neighbors, it is a beacon for baseball lovers and splashpark plodders. It’s home to a community garden, jungle gyms, movie nights, cookouts, and, yes, even Santa. Shot Tower Rec Center, which sits just below its namesake, provides a bounty to all those who pass through its wrought-iron gates.

Kate Powell, president of the Friends of Shot Tower, welcomed me one chilly morning in the rec center’s playground. Kate, her husband, and son moved to Queen Village from New York in 2019. She recalled memories of walking down 4th and South with mom and visiting her cousin, who grew up a stone's throw from the rec center. Together, they'd check the threads along Fabric Row, which Kate attributes as key inspiration

for her career in fashion. She’s eager for her son to find similar moments—and to find new ones herself.

“Friends of Shot Tower has been in existence for many years, and our group of young parents were recently handed the baton by the previous generation of parents whose kids are now grown,” says Kate. She admits she’s still getting the hang of the many permits and the local government parlance that comes with being a partner with the Philadelphia Park Friends Network.

Meeting former New Yorkers is by no means novel. I’m one myself, but a later transplant of the COVID-era. I typically avoid revealing my NYC tag to stave off the muted ire of those whose rents are now higher. But I can tell this is a safe space. Kate and I talk about the novelty of stairs in the apartment, look back in horror at what we paid in rent, but mostly marvel at the space: space to breathe, space to play, space to be a part of something. There’s room here in this city, and man it’s nice.

For Kate, this feels more like a statement of purpose than blithe Brooklyn chitchat. As we sit by the splash ground, she talked about how she hopes to welcome more people to the Friends Group and its events. So far, the group has broadened its reach with last summer’s movie night that attracted those from beyond the immediate blocks. She describes the fanfare around this past December’s Santa, who commanded a significant audience of Queen Village children looking to make sure their gift requests were communicated explicitly. And now she’s looking for more people to get involved and bring more ideas to the table.

“We are striving to build community through free events that bring our neighborhood together. We focus mainly on kidfriendly activities but want all our neighbors to feel welcome to come together for fun, food, and connection,” says Kate.

In a city where green space is in high demand, this feels like a special invitation. For a fellow newcomer, it’s music to my ears.

Many people leave Philadelphia for more space: a backyard, a front yard, a mud room, a deck. It’s all rather singular. The magic of living in a city is generosity, a willingness to share what you have for the promise of new friends and new experiences. Kate caught a piece of that growing up and wants the same for her son: for him to be able to walk out the door and know everyone he sees. She’s hoping to bring that vision to The Friends of Shot Tower and would love to hear from you if you’d like the same.

And while they are continually learning how Friends Groups work within city government and learning the ins and outs of the neighborhood, they bring a vision we can all get behind—one that brings our neighbors closer and asks the community how it wants to be better. ■

For more information on what is happening at Shot Tower Rec and how to get involved, connect with them in Instagram @Friends_of_Shot_Tower or email at friendsofshottower@gmail.com

A Clean Sweep

Volunteers and neighbors pick up their brooms to keep Weccacoe Playground clean and safe.

Text and photographs by Donna Pancari

The Courtyard Mentor Network (CMN) gathered with the Friends of Weccacoe (FOW) on a sunny, mild morning to clean up Weccacoe Park in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

Fifteen CMN participants worked with their mentors, families, and the FOW chairs to organize and facilitate the removal of leaves from the tennis court, to clear leaves and debris from adjacent sidewalks

and storm drains, and to tidy up garden beds. The event attracted dozens of additional volunteers, including neighboring residents, tennis players, and several members of S.M.O.O.T.H., a service-oriented organization from Temple University.

By the end of the day, the combined effort netted 32 leaf bags, and the park and sidewalks were safe and ready for the remainder of winter weather. ■

Filth-adelphia??

Make a resolution for Earth Day 2023 to keep QV clean and green!

Have you been irked when visitors to our great city utter the term Filth-adelphia? Worse yet, from people you know who live here? Well, make a resolution around Earth Day this year to be the change that’s needed.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 29, and come to Carpenter’s Walk at Front and Carpenter Streets to have electronics recycled and documents shredded—and also learn about other niche recycling options.

Earth Day, which spurred the recycling movement, had a foothold here in Philadelphia 53 years ago!

Before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream.

The 1970 Earth Day Rally drew thousands to Belmont Plateau. (Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia, PA.)

Is it trash, or can it be recycled?

ronmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It’s been more than 50 years since the inauguration of Earth Day, but Philadelphia still has trouble shaking its moniker, Filthadelphia. Now you don’t have to organize a protest on the Parkway, or a concert in Fairmount Park, but you can make a resolution to do one thing differently, be it one time or for the rest of the year—it’s up to you.

Earth Day resolutions

Come to QVNA’s Earth Day Event

On Saturday April 29, bring those documents and electronics to Carpenters Walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Front Street between Christian Street and Washington Avenue.

Consider Niche Recycling

This year, as an addition to our bi-annual shredding and e-cycling event, QVNA has invited niche recycling organizations that can address needs within your home.

And that was perfectly legal—because there was no Environmental Protection Agency, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment.

In spring 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda, and 20 million Americans demonstrated in U.S. cities across the country, including Philadelphia. In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle envi -

Make a resolution this Earth Day with QVNA and bring documents and junk mail to be shredded or electronics with cords to be recycled. Stick around to learn how niche recycling organizations can help you with household food waste, tough-to-recycle objects, and glass bottles the other 364 days in the year!

Can’t make the event? Some other resolutions to consider around the city’s weekly pick-up:

Put your collection out on time—7 p.m. the night before, not a day earlier. (And be aware of delays due to federal holidays).

Those who collect your trash and recycling are not responsible for badly packed items—so take a moment to be the change and secure your pick-up!

Optimally, secure your trash in bags that can be tied and recyclables in a blue container. Putting them out in flimsy paper bags only invites a slight wind carry them down the street, hence, Filth-adelphia.

Lastly, “See it, Get it!” Pick up after trash day. Some trash is going to escape from the trash truck. Don’t lament the stray pieces of trash, pick them up!

Bennett Compost provides a kitchenscraps bucket and picks up once a week. You can also sign up to receive the bounty of this effort—free mulch!

TerraCycle allows you to recycle commonly trashed items that aren’t typically recyclable curbside.

Bottle Underground, based in the Bok Building, provides a system for the collection and recycling of glass bottles, so that the most recyclable material can be downcycled, upcycled, and recirculated. Come learn how it works and see about opportunities to volunteer!

Try a Local Battery Recycling Hack

The Home Depot Store accepts household batteries for recycling at no charge: alkaline, rechargeable, lithium-ion (L-Ion), and nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd). Drop them off at the Customer Service Center, 1651 S. Columbus Blvd. ■

Maintenance Job

With a little help from their friends, the trees at Jefferson Square Park get a much-needed trim.

By Nicole Michaud

Thanks in part to a grant from QVNA, trees are a little lighter and safer at Jefferson Square Park (300 Washington Avenue). The Friends of Jefferson Square Park (FoJSP), along with Liberty Tree and Landscape Management, have completed three days of essential maintenance and preventive care on the park’s neediest trees.

In June 2020, two mature trees—a 200-year-old Kentucky Coffee Tree and a mature American Linden—were lost in a storm due to overdue maintenance. After these losses, direct community donations funded two days of work by a professional arborist crew for the most critical tree needs. That first round of work was completed in January 2021, but additional work was deferred until funding could be obtained.

In January 2023, thanks to a 2022 QVNA grant, much-needed preventive pruning removed weak, damaged, and diseased branches throughout the park. There was also work done to lighten heavy limbs, reducing the risk of falling branches.

With a four-person crew, Liberty got to work and finished the job—complete with chipped organic refuse that will provide additional mulch in landscaped and pet-friendly areas. Thanks also goes to Liberty for providing pro-bono services for one full day, including an additional crew member for each day at no charge.

Neighborhood Quality of Life

Jefferson Square Park has been a vibrant outdoor community space for more than 100 years. FoJSP fosters a community awareness of the park and its history and encourages common use for the diverse community that surrounds it.

Over the years, FoJSP has provided new benches and wastebaskets, the restoration of water service, new trees and the removal of dead ones, general landscaping, perennial garden beds, the installation of cast iron urns on the corner entrance pillars, not to mention monthly clean-ups and on-going beautification and restoration work.

FoJSP fosters something for everyone with outdoor music, bocce leagues, Parks on Tap, Soccer Shots athletic program

for young children, Yoga 4 Philly, Sharing Excess free food distribution, weddings, Christmas tree recycling, and annual holiday lighting, as well as ongoing daily casual use as a local green space.

So head over to Jefferson Square Park to stroll and admire the healthy tree canopy, or sit and take in a music performance from a FoJSP bench, or peruse the Little Free Library, located near the center of the park. There’s something for everyone at Jefferson Square Park! ■

If you would like to find out more about the Friends of Jefferson Square Park, please visit us on Instagram, @friendsofjeffersonsquare; Facebook, www.facebook.com/ groups/FriendsofJeffersonSquarePark; or our website, jeffersonsquarepark.org

QVNA Invites You to Think Globally

and Act Locally

On Saturday, April 29 from 10am-1pm join us for

Carpenter’s Walk at the QVNA Parking Lot (Front and Carpenter streets)

FREE Electronics Recycling & Shredding Event

Show your commitment to help curb climate change. Take action by responsibly recycling.

What Documents to Shred

• EXPIRED credit cards, ID badges, drivers licenses, etc.

• EXPIRED insurance policies, medical records, passports, visas, etc.

• OLD documents with your signature, name, social security# or birth date

• OLD bank statements & cancelled or voided checks

• OLD tax returns, see bit.ly/ IRSguidance

• OTHER info, see bit.ly/ GovtGuide2Shredding

What Can Be Recycled

Desktop Computing:

• Computers & mini-towers

• Hard drives

• Laptops & handhelds

• Notebooks & tablets

Digital Storage:

• CDs & DVDs

• Video & audio tapes

• External drives

• Zip drives

Computer Peripherals

• Cables

• Digital cameras

• Keyboards & mice

• Printers

• Speakers

Media Players:

• VCR/DVD players

• mp3 players & iPods

• Radios (CD, tape)

Office Equipment:

• Calculators

• Desktop copiers

• Fax machines

• Scanners

• Typewriters

Telecommunications:

• Mobile phones

• Telephones (landline)

What We Can't Accept:

• Televisions (flat screen and CRT)

• Computer monitors (flat screen and CRT)

• Air conditioners

• Air purifiers

• Dehumidifiers

• Microwaves

This event is sponsored by State Rep Mary Isaacson and Councilman Mark Squilla

Make Me the Perfect Match!

The Landlord-Tenant Matchmaking initiative aims to seed entrepreneurship along South Street.

By Shannon Maldonado

The seeds of entrepreneurship are often planted in the smallest, most unexpected moments. Mine happened during a big meeting in my former life as a senior designer at American Eagle Outfitters, a position I’d held for nearly nine years.

I had been working tirelessly on a collection of outerwear designs for our seasonal presentation to the leadership team. It went off without a hitch; our company’s top executive showered my efforts with praise and excitement over the future of my department. What followed, though, was an unexpected feeling of uncertainty: “Is this it? What could be next for me after this career?”

That moment of uncertainty turned out to be the seeds of my own brand. But back then it wasn’t a brand at all, it was just a handful of nebulous notes scribbled onto brightly colored Post-its stuck onto my bedroom wall. Those ideas germinated in a notebook that I quickly filled with magazine tearsheets, business cards, budget printouts, and articles I was devouring about small business and retail.

A year later, in the spring of 2016, YOWIE was born online; a humble collection of 12 products and a colorful website—built via favors from friends and colleagues. The website launch felt like a huge step in our brand’s nascent beginnings, but it was a series of pop-ups that

Yowie’s pop-up at Rally Coffee Shop in the spring of 2017 was a fun way to meet neighbors and introduce the brand before opening the storefront in June of 2017.

really built momentum and a community around YOWIE. This experimental retail format of mini-installations allowed us to test products, hone our values, solidify our mission, and create a framework for something bigger: the blueprint for a permanent space. Some of the pop-ups were one day long, while others stretched over a few months. All of them were fun and informative and served as a catalyst for our growth. I’m still praising these efforts and encouraging others to try this approach nearly seven years later.

As someone who grew up visiting South Street since I was a child, I see its current state as an inflection point of opportunity. My fondest memories of the street are visiting shops like Guacamole, Eyes Gallery, Tower Records, and Sub Zero with

friends but also PhilaDeli, Buster Brown, Benjamin Lovell Shoes, and more with my family. Each shop had its own unique offerings; some were run by their owners or an eclectic group of friendly faces that held court and made me feel seen.

Looking back, 25 years later, I realize that these spaces left a major impression on me. As I began to work alongside QVNA neighbors like Cait Allen and hear stories from customers about their budding ideas, I wondered, “How can we begin to work to find spaces for those wanting to test out a new idea?”

Over coffee, the Landlord-Tenant Matchmaking initiative was born. We’re a tiny but inspired group composed of members from the business district and community who know this idea will take

time, a bit of trial and error, and lots of coordination to reach its fullest potential. What I love about this initiative is the proactive and collaborative way it approaches vacancy in the area to create everlasting businesses that aid in the area’s growth.

So what entrepreneurial seeds keep you up at night? Is it time to consider bringing them off of the page? Or do you have a friend who’s been wanting to take a small business leap? Perhaps it’s time to plant those seeds at a temporary space on South Street. I can’t wait to stop by and be your first customer. ■

For more information and support navigating the Landlord-Tenant Matching initiative, contact dana@southstreet.com.

At Meadowsweet Mercantile in September 2016, Maldonado showcased products from the Yowie website for the first time and began to build her community around the brand and her roster of artists.

Come Again?

A historic Queen Village treasure embodies two centuries of adaptive and religious reuse.

The interior of the synagogue.

By Margie Wiener

Queen Village is home to many impressive architectural structures, some with even more impressive stories to tell. Take the beautiful Neziner Court condominiums at 771 South Second Street near Catherine Street. From the outside, peering into this Federalstyle building through the wrought-iron gates, a passer-by will be amazed to learn that before becoming condominiums, this building had been successively used and reused by Baptist, Catholic, and Jewish immigrant groups over the course of 175 years.

Before 1969, when this neighborhood was known as Southwark, the first inhabitant of this sturdy meetinghouse, erected in 1811, was the Third Baptist Church. According to Harry Boonin, author of The Jewish Quarter of Philadelphia: A History and Guide, 1881-1930, the design of the majestic, rounded windows on the face of the building probably dates to the founding of the church.

During the Civil War, the church became a hospital for the wounded, who were homeward-bound. Unfortunately, many did not make it home, and the church pastor presided over funerals for more than 2,000 soldiers, including some who were buried right behind the church.

As newer immigrant groups made their way to the Southwark community, current immigrants and working-class residents began to feel threatened with displacement. By the mid-1800s, mostly Irish immigrants had settled in Southwark. The native Protestants were suspicious of their Catholicism and threatened by more competition for jobs. In fact, in 1844, three days of rioting broke out.

In 1870, due to political and social unrest, there was vast emigration from Poland to the U.S. By the late 1800s, the

Old Southwark area around 2nd and Catherine was heavily populated by Polish immigrants. This influx, along with the population of Italian and Jewish foreigners in the neighborhood, caused a decrease in attendance at the Baptist Church. By 1896, members of the Third Baptist Church asserted that they had been “driven from our field by foreign population” and sold their building to a new wave of immigrants. (Boonin, Jewish Quarter of Philadelphia, p. 112.)

In 1898, the First Polish National Society of Philadelphia became the second owners of the building. The Society believed in Catholicism, but as a splinter group of the Roman Catholic Church, its members did not subscribe to the authority of the Pope or the Catholic Church’s hierarchy. Such a dissident church proved unpopular with the surrounding devout Polish Roman Catholics. On May 23, 1902 (just four years after buying the building), the First Polish National Society of Philadelphia defaulted on its second mortgage, forcing the sheriff to sell the Church property.

Fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe in the 1880s, Jewish immigrants banded together in 1889 to form their own synagogue charter. Officially, its name was Congregation Ahavas Achim-Anshe Nezin, which meant Congregation of Friendly Sons of Nezin, a small town in southern Russia. In 1905, the Neziner Synagogue bought the building, and, over the next 25 years, its membership increased significantly. From various accounts, the congregation’s Jewish ritual began as Hasidic Orthodox and later transitioned to Ashkenazic to accommodate the congregants’ preferences.

Only minor changes were made to the 1811 structure because the building’s church design was easily convertible for synagogue use. These included removing the Baptist Church’s crucifix from the roof and erecting a new eastern wall at the back of the building that extended the sanctuary for the Jewish Holy Ark (into which Holy Torahs are traditionally placed). All these changes enabled Neziner to accommodate 800 worshippers in a small space.

X marks the spot in 1858 map of the neighborhood.

The Baptist Church’s graves were disinterred and reburied elsewhere. The resulting lot in the back was used as a play yard, and the south side plot of ground was used for a sukkah (a temporary hut covered with branches, built for a fall festival that commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness). The front courtyard provided botanical splendor.

Following WWI, the familiar pattern of community shifts recurred, with some immigrants prospering and moving to newer parts of the city, such as Strawberry Mansion, Logan, Wynnefield, and West Philadelphia. The remaining members, whom some would interpret as disgruntled by what they saw as abandonment, were “less affluent men, sort of old-guard conservative men who refused to accept any changes for Conservative Judaism, or programs for youth or women.” (David Kraftsow, History of the Neziner Synagogue.) Membership declined, and the building, its mortgage unpaid, fell into a state of disrepair.

Surprisingly during the Depression, the synagogue experienced a rebirth under the leadership of Isaac Schreider, a new member who lived in the neighborhood. Schreider cleverly fundraised from former members who had moved away. Under his leadership, the synagogue was remodeled considerably. In addition, Neziner adapted to changing times by forming a sisterhood that flourished for many years, introducing more modern Conservative services by adding English to the Hebrew prayers, developing programs aimed at young people, and allowing women to sit with men on the main floor of the sanctuary.

Just before WWII, Dr. John Craig Roak, the Minister of the Old Swedes’ Church, located at Water and Christian Streets, began interfaith services with the Neziner congregation. Although interfaith

The building, now a synagogue, as it appeared in 1957.

The Neziner courtyard today.

services continued for years, they could not prevent the ongoing trend of wealthier congregants emigrating to the suburbs. In the post-WWII era, attendance and membership declined at Neziner Synagogue.

Furthermore, initiated by Mayor Dilworth and growing throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the process of gentrification began in Queen Village’s northern neighbor, Society Hill. Gradually, as young families moved into the gentrified neighborhood, the membership of Society Hill Synagogue expanded. This boded poorly for Neziner Synagogue and its aging membership.

By 1983, only 50 families were left. Neziner was sold to and absorbed by Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel at 18th and Spruce Streets, where its Ark doors and other artifacts are now kept and its Hebrew school is aptly named Neziner.

Today, the Neziner Court Condominiums occupy the building. A straightforward structure, the building was converted into eight spacious residential units in 1985. It remains set off from the street (as it was years ago) by a courtyard and wrought-iron fence.

In 2013, Hidden City Philadelphia, an online publication that explores obscure yet captivating heritage and architectural sites, named Neziner building among the Top 10 sacred buildings in Philadelphia to be used for other, non-religious purposes.

This local recognition, combined with a distinguished listing in 1958 as a National Historical Landmark by the National Preservation for Historical Landmarks (when it was still Neziner Synagogue), highlights the uniquely rich, weaving story about these three immigrant communities (Baptist, Polish Catholic, Jewish) adapting and readapting to life at the Neziner Building at 771 S. Second Street in Queen Village. ■

• Experience

• Commitment

• Hard Work

• Enthusiasm

• Integrity

• Qyeen Village Resident

Our commitment to your happiness is the foundation from which a solid business relationship is built. Simply put, your satisfaction is our greatest reword. Our business hos been built on solid and unwavering foundations, and we look forward to putting our expertise to work for you. Success Doesn't Happen by Accident!

Gregory j. Damis, CNHS

Serving Qyeen Village for 38 Years!

In with the Old

New renovations preserve Old Pine.

By Karen Winey

Since before the American Revolution, Old Pine Church has been a cornerstone of the surrounding neighborhoods. Located on Pine Street between 4th and 5th Streets, Old Pine is a distinctive landmark with its yellow stucco, tall white columns, historic graveyard—and, for those who pause to read the message board, ever-changing inspirations for daily living.

Moreover, the church aims to serve the community as a place of quiet respite, spiritual sustenance, and community gathering. We regularly host Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra concerts, and special events for St. Peter’s School and the Boy Scouts. As a vibrant institution, Old Pine attracts members, visitors, performers, history enthusiasts, and occasionally film crews.

Beginning in 2019, the congregation initiated the first major renovations in 30 years, with a focus on preserving this historical gem to continue serving the neighborhood. Those renovations began with repairs to the wrought-iron fence, installed in 1837. You might recall that along the west side of the church, the fence used to lean out over the sidewalk. With painstaking attention to detail, the fence has been refurbished and now stands straight.

More recently the yellow stucco and ornate cornice along the roof have been restored on three sides. While the pandemic left the sanctuary empty, the pews where John Adams worshiped were beautifully reupholstered. The sanctuary has also been air-conditioned with energy-efficient units allowing for year-round worship and events, including weddings. Now, work is beginning on the first floor to improve the entrance, add an accessible gender-neutral restroom, and improve the multipurpose room, used for AA meetings and receptions after community and special events. Future projects might include restoring the portico, the columns along Pine Street, and the windows.

These recent, current, and planned renovations projects will protect the integrity of the building and, more important, make Old Pine even more beautiful and welcoming for the members and community for decades to come.

You are invited to come see these improvements and move through the past in this vibrant historical landmark. Stroll the grounds or sign up for a tour of the interior at oldpine.org/the-church/ community-fundraising/, where you can learn more about the renovations, peruse before and after photos, and even donate to the cause. ■

Old Pine Church. Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC.

We our Volunteers !!!

With vision and compassion for future generations, volunteers care for our our parks, playgrounds and trees.

When powerful forces threatened to divide our neighborhood, volunteers unified, fought and won the battle and saved our community.

Whether cleaning and greening; serving on a committee or the Board; contributing to our magazine; distributing the Crier; helping in the office—whether regularly or for an hour here and there—QVNA appreciates your volunteer service.

Thank You Queen Village Volunteers

Thank You Queen Village

Volunteers

Your Caring Enriches Our Community.

Since 1969, QVNA has depended on volunteers to lead and advance our mission of community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. To those who have helped bring positive change to our community, and to the volunteers who sustain it today, thank you for your service.

Community Stewardship. Advocacy. Service.

The City of Arborly Love

A tribute to the trees of Queen Village—and some expert tips on their care and feeding.

By Maureen Brady Weir

Walk through Queen Village on any given day and you are sure to notice rows of charming homes, vibrant shops, and inviting restaurants. Now, take the very same walk and this time pay special attention to the trees. Intrinsic to the fabric of our neighborhood, our trees play an important role in who we are. Witnesses to our history

and keepers of our future, they are often overlooked, but the truth is that without them our daily landscapes would be drastically different.

As residents of one of the oldest cities in the country, trees are part of our legacy, starting with the Lenape Indians who tended the original forestland. Sometimes referred to as the City of Ar-

borly Love, Philadelphia was considered a hub for the study of botany in the 18th and 19th centuries and was home to renowned tree experts, including famed botanist Thomas Meehan; brother and sister John and Lydia Morris, whose estate is known today as the Morris Arboretum; and, of course, John Bartram, who founded the landmark Bartram Gardens.

The trees at Mario Lanza Park provide an oasis for QV neighbors. Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia™

Trees are as much a part of our city as street signs and sidewalks, and the good news is that their benefits go well beyond just their beauty. Trees reduce warm summer temperatures through shade and their transpiration of water. As trees release water into the atmosphere from their leaves, the surrounding air is cooled in the form of gas vapor. Additionally, a tree’s canopy acts like an umbrella, blocking out the sun’s radiation. The cooling effect of one young, healthy tree can be equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners!

Improving air quality and reducing harmful pollutants is another reason to appreciate our urban trees. Through photosynthesis, a tree’s leaves pull in carbon dioxide and, using the sun’s energy, convert it into nutrients. As a by-product of this process, oxygen is released into the air we breathe. A mature tree absorbs approximately 48 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, which equates to a 50-mile drive. Trees are also known to be good for your mental health. Spending time around trees is known to lower blood pressure and improve your mood. Numerous studies show that simply sitting and looking at trees can lower the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Tree Tenders

Queen Village Tree Tenders is an all-volunteer group that has planted more than 300 trees in Queen Village over the past 10 years. It is one of any number of tree tender groups throughout Philadelphia that are aligned with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), which provides the trees that the group plants. In addition to planting trees, the group prunes trees and engages in “pit maintenance” (weeding pits, turning over the soil in the pit, and adding mulch).

Working with PHS, Queen Village Tree Tenders has two plantings a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. If you would like to get a tree in front of your property, either to fill an empty pit or to have a tree planted in a freshly cut pit, you can either apply for a tree online at PHS’s website or contact the current head of Queen Village Tree Tenders, Dan Gibbon, at

dgibbon@clarkhill.com. Dan is a good starting point for most anything treerelated—for example, what to do if you have a dead tree in front of your property or one that is failing.

How to care for a tree in front of your house:

For at least the first two summer cycles after the tree is planted, keep the tree well-watered with 20 gallons of water per week.

Keep the tree pit free of weeds and trim off any suckers that are sprouting from the base of the tree; loosen the soil in the pit and put a small quantity of mulch on top of the soil, keeping the mulch away from the trunk of the tree.

If branches are intruding on the street or the sidewalk, let someone from Tree Tenders know so the tree can be properly pruned (as opposed to having branches torn off by passing vehicles or angry pedestrians).

Essential to our local ecosystem, trees support nature by providing protection and much needed resources to our local birds, pollinators, and other animals. Each tree has its own personality and, lucky for us, Queen Village is home to a wide variety of species. According to our neighborhood tree expert, Dan Gibbon, who heads up the Queen Village Tree Tenders group, some of the older tree species you will find in our neighborhood include London Planetree (the large trees in Weccacoe and Mario Lanza Parks), Gink- Dan

Gibbon and volunteers go to work at Moyamensing Park.

go, Linden, Oak (found on Bainbridge Green between 3rd and 4th Streets), and Crabapple. Newer species include Lilac, Apple, and Cherry as well as Redbud, Maple, Yellowwood, Hornbeam, Serviceberry, Elm, Horse Chestnut, and Hawthorne. Identifying trees can be a daunting but rewarding experience, but there are plenty of resources to assist you! The Arbor Day Foundation website, arborday. org, offers an online guide that walks you through a series of questions to help you name the species. The Seek app by iNaturalist and PlantSnap are just two of many apps available that allow you to upload photos for quick identification. Or stop by

Headhouse Books (619 S. 2nd Street) and ask about the multitude of books available on our local trees including Philadelphia Trees: A Field Guide to the City and the Surrounding Delaware Valley, produced by the Morris Arboretum.

In many cultural traditions, trees are recognized for having a deep and sacred presence. They give us a connection to our natural surroundings, a lifeline to the earth, and a sense of wisdom that lasts through the ages. Perhaps we should rekindle a new reverence for the trees that stand outside our own front doors, beginning with a walk to simply get to know them. ■

The first sign of spring.

A local resident loves QV’s trees.

Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church

We are a church where inclusive Christianity is preached, love is love, and kindness is everything. All are welcome. You don’t have to be a member to participate in any of our activities. And, we are right here in Queen Village, afew steps or blocks from your front door.

Easter Week Services

April 6: 7pm Maundy Thursday

April 7: 7pm Good Friday

April 9: 10am Easter with egg hunt

In-person service and livestreamed on our Facebook page “Gloria Dei Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church”

Special Events

April 16: 10am Sunday Worship featuring the Matsiko World Orphan Choir

April 21: 8pm Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber performed by E.J. Simpson (ticketed event)

Weekly Services and Fellowship

10:00 am

Sunday Worship with Eucharist

In-person service and livestreamed on our Facebook page “Gloria Dei Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church”

9:00 am

Monday Morning Prayer

Lift yourself up as you start your week. Join us on Zoom for 10 minutes of morning devotion www.old-swedes.org/10minutes

6:30 pm

Tuesday Musical Meditation

A service of song, quiet prayer, and meditation. All are welcome

Say “I Do” at Philadelphia’s historic wedding venue: Riverside Weddings

https://bit.ly/3NapaId

It’s Algorithmic!

By Michael Allen

An algorithm is a process a set of rigorous instructions to solve a problem. In this case, the problem to solve: re-imagine meatbased comfort food in a locally sourced, artistic, vegan way. Matt Rafferty not only accomplished that but did so in a 120-square-foot food truck! His food truck was named Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly in 2021. Now, that awardwinning, West Philly food truck has “parked” at 795 E. Passyunk Ave.

“Growing up with my mother and grandparents, I learned that food was a way of expressing care,” Matt says. “It feels wonderful to express the gift of nourishment.” Many of his warmest memories return to that sense of nourishment— body and soul—whether it was the hamand-cheese pinwheels his grandmother used to make or the “wake and steak” sandwiches he looked forward to after a long bus ride to the city from his home in Phoenixville. How do you recreate those

simple experiences in a healthier way without factory farming and animal agriculture? Let’s start with tacos!

Algorithm offers four taco options, but for the full transportive experience, order one of each! Catch a deep-water tuna (er, expertly prepared watermelon) with the Big Blue the savory explosion of Asian flavors is fin -tastic! Meditate on the Roasted Tempeh under the shade of an apple tree and you will deconstruct the meaning of the many layers of flavors.

A new QV restaurant has discovered the formula for unequaled vegan dining.

The Nashville Hot.

The Breakfast Sandwich makes for a perfect start to the day.

“That one is a sleeper hit,” Matt says. Love a fine slaw and Korean BBQ? One Crispy Tofu coming right up! Finally, the Huevos Rancheros are a perfectly hearty send-off for a hard day in Big Sky Country.

Sandwiches more your thing? Then sizzle away the last spring chill with the Nashville Hot. It’s reminiscent of a spicy chicken sandwich because Matt and Chef Cody deliver a real smack-your-cheeks heat without sending you to the nearest fire station. The Breakfast Sandwich is hard-hat serious—an entire breakfast medley over a crispy delicious hash brown. Lastly, don’t forget fries with the famous Calabrian chili wiz. It’s tangy, sassy, and just enough heat to rouse you on a sleepy day.

With everything, you will be struck by the colors and beauty of the presentation.

In the afterglow of a spectacular vegan meal, Matt reflects on his many inspirations, all of the challenges and successes that led him to Queen Village. You can tell how proud he is of the team, their comradery, the hard work, and how they have created a recovery-friendly workplace. “The neighbors in Queen Village are so warm and amazing,” he says.

So stop by and meet the crew, over a house special Vietnamese iced coffee. Feeling breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? IF (you = hungry) and (incredible vegan creations > same-old, same-old), THEN Algorithm Vegan Grill is the place for you. ■

Above: Algorithm customized "band tour" t-shirt with the food truck locations on the back; Below: The four taco options (Huevos Rancheros and Roasted Tempeh in foreground) along with fries with Calabrian chili sauce and with Korean BBQ sauce.

The Algorithm specials are updated regularly.

Come One, Come All!

Nebinger and Meredith invite QV neighbors to their spring fundraising fairs.

By Hilary Young

Part of what makes our Queen Village community so spectacular are the two great public schools that our children have access to as residents: William M. Meredith Elementary School and George W. Nebinger Elementary School. Though these institutions and their wonderful educational reputations anchor the community by drawing families to the neighborhood and keeping it vibrant, both schools are underfunded by the School District of Philadelphia.

To combat budget deficits and provide our kids with enriching opportunities, parents at both schools are dedicated to rolling up their sleeves and launching fundraising efforts that are a blast— whether you are a school parent or not!

Nebinger’s spring fundraiser, Joy at Nebinger, is focused on bringing joy to the community. Hosted on Saturday, April 22, at the Bok Building by the Nebinger Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the event will raise money to support extracurriculars such as art, drama, and sports, as well as teacher appreciation and greater community engagement. Tickets will be sold until the space is at capacity. So mark your calendar and get your tickets for food, fun, an auction throughout the night—and the opportunity to meet other adults dedicated to the vibrancy of the Nebinger community.

To purchase tickets, make a donation, provide sponsorship as a local business, or contribute items to the auction, visit the Nebinger PTA website, nebingerpta.org/joy.

April is also the month that Meredith hosts its annual spring fundraiser, a Soiree Under the Stars, at the Headhouse Shambles on Saturday, April 29. The event is based on this year’s school mantra, “At Meredith, Everybody is a STAR!” The Meredith Home and School Association will be raising funds for curriculum enhancement, upgrading recess and gym equipment, hiring lunch and classroom aids, and improving the school auditorium— from a new sound system to HVAC updates. A 50/50 raffle and an online silent auction will run from April 14 to April 30, and you don’t have to attend the soiree to be part of the bidding fun!

Come out and meet other parents or neighbors for this annual event. You can purchase tickets, make a donation, become a sponsor, or provide auction items, through Meredith’s dedicated event link: meredithelementaryhsa.betterworld.org.

Both the Nebinger PTA and the Meredith HSA are 501(c)(3) organizations, so all donations are tax deductible.

Whether you are a parent of a schoolaged child in our neighborhood, a local business, or a good neighbor looking for ways to give back, both of these annual fundraisers provide great opportunities to support our community and help the children of Queen Village. ■

Back in the Day…

Robert Smith was the Colonies’ foremost master builder/architect.

By Jim Murphy

If you walk by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission sign on 2nd Street below South Street, you instantly realize Robert Smith was an important figure in Philadelphia.

But you have no idea how much he really contributed to our city and country.

Sure, he worked on Ben Franklin’s house and helped secure the dance floor at the Powel House, where George Washington frequently danced. Plus, his plans were used to create the prestigious Carpenters’ Hall.

In addition, he built St. Peter’s Church, the original Old Pine Street Church, the famous steeple on Christ Church, and the Walnut Street Prison and may have worked on the eastern wing of Pennsylvania Hospital, too.

But he also made major contributions to the war effort against the British. And that work may well have shortened his life.

The war situation in Philly

In September 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. But they couldn’t get their supplies to their troops.

The reason: Robert Smith helped design and build 65 chevaux-de-frise placed in the Delaware River between Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer. These giant wooden platforms 40 x 60 feet in size with wooden spikes were built to impale ships. Thirty tons of stone held each one in place. And only 10 river pilots knew where they were located.

Unable to pass the forts safely because of the chevaux-de-frise, 250 British ships were bottled up in the Delaware River for six weeks.

Interesting Oddities:

• Relief came in November 1777, when a fleet of British warships with 228 cannons attacked and destroyed Fort Mifflin … enabling the supply ships and their cargo to reach Philadelphia. But the six days of horrific fighting at the fort gave George Washington and his troops just enough time to get to Valley Forge and live for another day. So the chevaux-de-frise did their job.

• Evidently unearthed by Hurricane Sandy, a part of one of these devices, a singular cheval-de-frise, was discovered at Bristol, Bucks County, on November 10, 2012. That was 235 years to the day that the British began their six-day assault on Fort Mifflin. The

piece, 29 feet long with an iron spike at one end, was found in 28 feet of water about 150 yards from shore. This ship-impaler piece is now on display at Brandywine Battlefield, says This Week in Pennsylvania Archaeology.

• Robert Smith’s work along the river in frigid conditions may have led to his early death at age 55. While rushing to complete the building of barracks at Ft. Billingspsort (now Paulsboro, New Jersey), he became ill. Smith died two months later without ever seeing the fruits of his military labors. ■

Jim Murphy is a certified tour guide and author of Real Philly History, Real Fast, published by Temple University Press. His free history blog is available at realphillyhistory.com.

Chevaux-de-frise held up 250 ships of the British fleet in the Delaware River for about six weeks. Courtesy of Ringwood Manor, Ringwood State Park, Ringwood, NJ.