About Us

The Philadelphia Bible Society was established in 1838 and formally chartered in 1848 for the express purpose, as articulated in our formal charter of 1848: “To distribute the sacred Scriptures, without note or comment, in the city of Philadelphia and adjacent counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, or up to approximately a sixty-mile radius of the corporate office as the Society may determine.”

Our original mission was to reach the seafarers who were coming into the docks at the Port of Philadelphia. Much of our work in the 70s, 80s, and 90s was the distribution of Scripture in hospitals and nursing homes. The so-called HIPAA Laws put a huge dent in that aspect of our ministry, but we have also taken God’s Word into schools and universities, prisons and detention centers, social service agencies and food-banks, shopping centers, and the streets.

We have never charged a dollar or a dime for our material, as we exist to “freely distribute” the Word of God to anyone who will receive it. We have always trusted in God for our finances, and He has always provided for what we have needed.

We have operated out of private garages, an upstairs office at the Pennsylvania Bible Society on the corner of 7th & Walnut in Old City Philadelphia, and for 20 years in our storefront office at 7729 Ridge Avenue in the North-Western quadrant of the city. We re-located to the premises of First Baptist Church at Conshohocken in late 2019.

“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated God may be capable and equipped for every good work”

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NET).

Looking Ahead

We are beginning to prayerfully plan for the expansion of our horizons. We realize that the world has changed and that local limits are no longer feasible, as the world has grown so much smaller with the increase of technology. We also understand that the lengthy era of hard copy, though still viable and not to be abandoned, has given way in large measure to the world of the digital enterprise.

We now begin to prayerfully explore the prospect of satellite stations being established in various locales, with our scriptures being readily available, negating the need for travel to Philadelphia or Conshohocken. We are working to provide an ordering mechanism so that you may order via this website and receive our material by way of the United States Postal Service (the material itself will remain free-of-charge, though the cost of shipping and handling will be incurred). And we are looking to launch an audio page, one on which God’s Word will be read by recognizable Philadelphia voices of men and women who have a devotion to Christ and His Gospel.

William Carey, English missionary to India and “Father of Missions” remarked that “the future is as bright as the promises of God.” Adoniram Judson, an American missionary to Burma, declared, “Attempt great things for God; Expect great things from God.” We agree, on both counts. The Philadelphia Bible Society remains committed to the free distribution of God’s Word for as long as there is need and as God gives allowance.

My conscience is captive to the Word of God.

(Martin Luther)