George W. + Mary Christy

210 N. Essex Avenue, Narberth, PA

1888-89 | Residence | Extant, Heavily Altered

“Miss Minerva Parker, 14 South Broad Street, is the architect for a house just started for Geo. M. Christy, at Elm Station [Narberth]. The construction is set to be of stone and shingles. Every attention has been given to details. Most of the contracts have been let to E.S. Sentman, 126 Walnut Street.” (November 26, 1888)

“Miss Minerva Parker, 14 South Broad Street, Phila., has plans for a residence…and one for Geo. W. Christy, which will be built at Elm Station, Penn. R.R.” (February 12, 1890)

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George Christy was one of the founders of the Narberth Park Association (Narberth’s earliest civic association). He was also the Vice President of the Elm Land Improvement Company, which purchased the remnants of the Price estate in 1890. George and Mary Christy commissioned this house in 1888; they subsequently divorced in 1895. The house Minerva designed for George and Mary remains standing, although it has been substantially altered; among other changes, the distinctive turret was removed at an unknown date.

Minerva appears to have designed a second building for George Christy (and possibly Mary) in 1890. More information on that project is available here.