Black Doctors Row, A South Philly Treasure

Over the years, here and there, I’d hear stories about Christian Street in South Philadelphia, particularly from the 1500 block down to the 2000 block--it was said that a large number of prominent Blacks lived there from the 1900s on.

- Thera Martir

Some of those well-to-do Blacks were doctors. It has been said that Christian Street had more Black doctors living within a 10-block radius than in any other part of Philadelphia. On Friday, June 21, 2024, thanks to Philadelphia Coty Council President Kenyatta Johnson, the fact that these Black doctors lived and worked on Christian Street and made their mark in history there will be officially dedicated and written in history with a street renaming ceremony. As of June 21, 2024, the 1500 block of Christian Street has been renamed Black Doctors Row.

The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted unanimously a little over two years ago to create the Christian Street/Black Doctors Row Historic District. Very important to note that the historical designation is a protection over properties in the area against demolition. Due to several demolition projects in the area in 2019 and into 2020, that’s what spurred residents to come together to fight for historic designation. It’s been groups such as the South of South Neighborhood Association, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, and the Society to Preserve Philadelphia African American Assets that really set off the fight for the historic district designation.