Flames Shoot Through Large City Church

[Mari]

Ok, and is this the first church to go up in flames? I don't think so.

[Kenta McKinney]

I am truly sadden by the fire of this wonderful church. I was raised in that area and attended the school - William S. Stokley, along with my brothers and sister. I remember the teachers and principals and the PTA which our Mother was a member of. I was glad to know that the building had become a church and a fixture in the neighborhood once again. But as Minister Shipman stated, the congregation is the church and they will go forward with God's help.

[mansion kid]

I went to grade schoolo at Stokely,which was the original incarnation of that building, way before it became a church.

It used to be a great neighborhood in which to live and raise your children before the onslaught of drugs and urban blight.

Man, I miss those wonderful days..

[Neena908]

This is my childhood church; from birth to 18 I attended this is where my family and I worshipped. My grandmother was an assistant pastor there; she ran most of the community programs. I have so many memories of my life's landmark events in that church - baptism, my daughter's christening, grandparents' funerals...The loss is inexplicable. Yes the building was just a building, but the memories that it held make the loss more difficult.

[gene]

I graduated from Stokely in 1953. I grew up at 30th & Euclid & walked to school, home for lunch & back again. I visited that grand old building a few times in the past number of years & was always welcome. I wish everyone all the best.

[stan levin]

Stan wrote:

If it is in fact at Berks and 32nd Sts., it originally was the Stokley school grades K thru 6. I attended that school in the
1930's.

I too went to Stokely in the 30's ... We lived one-half block from the school ... would lie to hear from the "other stan"
[e-mail]

[stan levin]

Anyone still living who wenr to Stokely in the thirties please write me at [e-mail]

[Dewey]

I was saddened to hear that Stokely School had been destroyed by a tragic fire. I grew up in this neighborhood on Natrona St. and this school yard holds years of fond childhood memories. The Strawberry Mansion community will miss the loss of this safe haven.

[Pamela]

Tiffany wrote:

<quoted text>
Mary - Shut up, and read your bible most blessings come after a fire

I agree.
Mary, shutup! For you know not what you speak! God has something GREATER in store of us at Prince of Peace Baptist. He has been giving us opportunities to tell people like you the SOVREIGNTY of God. He loves His children and we are looking forward to the blessings that is coming to us. May GOD BLESS YOU! and I hope that you will see the Christ for yourself.

[radlad]

I attended the William J. Stokely School from 1952-1956.

best memories are of first and second grade teacher Delphia Augenblick - unfortunately she 'disappeared' from the school midway during the second grade after appearing before the House Unamerican Activites Committee (HUAC) of Senator MacCarthy.

I lived at 2145 N. Natrona Street - which was between Diamond and Susquehanna and between 32nd and 33rd.

[Monique]

i have a class picture my mother left me when she died and it was taken in 1967 at William Stokley school. Do anyone remember the black male teacher?

[ringOFfire]

Any church that burns is one more step in the right dirction. This cult of christians needs to be stopped.