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The stone church and its brick annex on East Rittenhouse Street

Our $500,000 goal for a Philadelphia landmark.

The new roof is done. Five projects, one building: watch each thermometer rise as neighbors give.

Donate NowMount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Every gift raises the mark.

This thermometer shows how close we are to $500,000. The roof is complete. Next up: new restrooms, a recreation room and offices. Then heating and cooling, the sanctuary and the baptistry.

Campaign goal
$500,000
Raised so far
$104,000
Of our goal
21%
Donate NowMount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Five projects. One building.

We are raising the $500,000 in five steps. The first one is done. Here is where every other dollar goes.

  • The stone church and its bell tower at the corner of Rittenhouse and Morton StreetsComplete

    The roof

    Thanks to generous neighbors, the roof repair and replacement is done. The building is protected from the top down, so every project that follows can last.

    $100,000 raised100% funded
  • A church office today, crowded with boxes, papers and makeshift shelvesNext up

    Restrooms, recreation room and offices

    Modern restrooms for every age and ability, a recreation room for community programs, and working offices for the church and MHHCDC.

    Goal $100,000Just starting
  • An old heating oil tank against the stone foundation wall in the basement

    Heating and HVAC

    Replace the aging oil heating system with modern heating and cooling, so the building is comfortable in every season.

    Goal $100,000Just starting
  • The sanctuary altar framed by peeling, water-stained plaster walls

    The sanctuary

    Repair the peeling plaster and water damage, then restore the walls, floors and lighting of our 1894 worship space.

    Goal $150,000Just starting
  • Artist's rendering of a restored tiled baptismal pool with steps beside an arched opening to the sanctuaryRendering

    The baptistry

    Restore the baptism area behind the pulpit. It was built with a rolling screen so the whole sanctuary could watch, and an angled mirror above the pool.

    Goal $50,000Just starting

The baptistry image is an artist's rendering by Dewayne Skinner of what we plan to build, not a photo of the building today. Baptistry details from University of Pennsylvania measured drawings, 2017.

Every amount helps.

Our next goal is new restrooms, a recreation room and offices. You do not need to give a lot to make a difference. Here is what a smaller gift can help cover.

  • $25

    Helps buy plaster and paint to patch and brighten the recreation room walls.

  • $50

    Helps pay for new pipes and fittings for the restrooms.

  • $100

    Helps cover a new sink and faucet.

  • $250

    Helps cover restroom fixtures, like a new toilet or hand dryer.

  • $500

    Helps furnish an office with a desk, chair and shelves.

These amounts are examples of how gifts add up. Actual costs vary, and every gift goes toward the restoration.

Donate NowMount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

See what your gift will build.

Drag the slider to compare our sanctuary today with the restoration we are working toward.

Artist's rendering of the restored sanctuary: exposed stone walls, stained glass windows, new wooden pews and a blue carpeted platform under lit roof trusses The sanctuary today during a Sunday service, with peeling plaster walls, a blue tarp and worn wooden pews Today The vision

The vision is not yet built. The right side is an artist's rendering by Dewayne Skinner of the planned restoration, not a photo of the building today. The final design may change as the work moves forward.

Donate NowMount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Three easy ways to give.

Give online in a few minutes, or reach out and we will help you give the way that works for you.

Donate NowMount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Double your gift through work.

Many employers match their employees' charitable gifts. Here is how to request a match for your donation.

  1. Give online

    Make your gift with our donation form and keep the emailed receipt.

  2. Open your company's giving portal

    Look for matching gifts in your HR or benefits site, such as Benevity, YourCause or Bright Funds.

  3. Search for the church

    Search "Mount Vernon Baptist Church" in Philadelphia, PA. If it is not listed, add it using the details on this page.

  4. Submit your receipt

    Upload your receipt and the gift amount. We will confirm your gift if your employer asks.

Every company sets its own rules. Some programs do not match gifts to houses of worship, so check your program's guidelines first.

Details for your matching form

Copy these into your employer's matching gift request.

Organization name
Mount Vernon Baptist Church
Also listed as
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
Address
454-460 E Rittenhouse St, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Address on city property records
454-58 E Rittenhouse St, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Organization type
Church, tax-exempt religious organization
Tax ID (EIN)
83-0384567
Tax-exempt letter
Email us for a copy
Gift purpose
It Can Be Done Philly: historic building restoration

Common questions.

How do I donate?

Tap Donate Now on any page to open our online donation form. You can also call (610) 405-0997 or email info@itcanbedonephilly.com.

What will my gift pay for?

The new roof is complete. Your gift now goes to four projects, starting with new restrooms, a recreation room and offices. Next come heating and HVAC, the sanctuary, and the baptistry. See each project's progress or the full plan.

Who is leading the campaign?

A board of members from Mount Vernon Baptist Church Philly and Morthouse Heart Community Development Center (MHHCDC). Meet the board.

Where is the building?

454-460 E Rittenhouse St, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Get directions.

Why does the building have more than one address?

The church property runs from 454 to 460 East Rittenhouse Street. The stone church stands on what were once three separate lots, 454, 456 and 458, joined into one parcel that city records list as 454-58 E Rittenhouse St. Next door at 460 stood the hall of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 2205, one of the groups that gave the church its stained glass. The hall came down in the 1960s, and that lot is now part of the church property too. For an employer matching form, use 454-460 E Rittenhouse St, or 454-58 if the form asks for the address on city records. Read the building's history.

Will my employer match my gift?

Many companies do. Use the details in the employer matching section above to submit your request through your company's giving portal.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Mount Vernon Baptist Church is a tax-exempt church, EIN 83-0384567. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Keep the receipt emailed to you after you give, and email us if you need a copy of our tax-exempt letter.

How can I stay informed?

Send us your details on our contact page and we will keep you posted on the campaign.