In 1687, when Lord Baltimore emigrated to America from England, a physician, Dr. Benson, came with him and settled on the Eastern Shore, Talbot County, Maryland. Many years later, on September 23, 1806, a descendant of Dr. Benson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was our founder, Gustavus Smith Benson. He was one of several children, and when Gustavus was six years of age, the family moved to Philadelphia.

Gustavus attended the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a law degree, while his brother sought a career in banking. After graduating, passing the bar and practicing law for two years, Gustavus left this profession and entered the banking business his brother had founded, Alexander Benson & Company.

After thirty-four years of an active, successful business life, he retired to devote his time to religious, corporate and philanthropic work. He was one of the most liberal givers to benevolent causes in the history of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. Generous, untiring in his work for Christ, unassuming and whole-hearted, Mr. Benson found many outlets for his energies.

He served on the Board of Directors of City Trusts, which was responsible for the administration of Girard College, served on the Presbyterian Board of Publications, served as an Elder of the West Spruce Street Church, and was a trustee of Princeton Seminary.

He had deep religious convictions, and through his son Frank's residence in Fox Chase, he became interested and involved in the growth of this early community. Frank Benson and his family worshiped with a group of Presbyterians who met each Sunday afternoon in Temperance Hall, Fox Chase.

Shortly before Gustavus' death on March 22, 1883, he told Dr. Murphy of Frankford, "You see to the gathering of a congregation in Fox Chase, and I will see that a church edifice is erected." On November 13, 1883, the Fox Chase Presbyterian Church was organized by Philadelphia Presbytery North. Charter members were enrolled; six on confession of faith and eleven on letters of transfer.

The church charter was drawn up by another son of Gustavus, Louis F. Benson, Esq. After years of practicing law, he was ordained as a minister. He is a recognized authority on hymnology and served as editor of the Presbyterian Hymnal. The first congregational meeting was held December 5, 1883 and the Rev. Samuel Milliken, D. D. was elected pastor.

At a trustees meeting on January 9, 1884, Col. R. Dale Benson, another son of Gustavus, stated that his mother intended to have a church building erected on a lot of their selection as a memorial to her husband. The lot chosen was owned by Maggie Barnes, a member. It was purchased and the cornerstone laid July 1, 1884, with the dedication on December 30, 1884. A plaque on the east wall of the church interior states: "To the Glory of God and to a beloved husband, Gustavus Smith Benson, born in Baltimore, 1806 and died in Philadelphia, 1883." The Benson family requested that the church be known as the "Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase," and the only visible sign of its origin is the letter "B" in the weathervane on the tower.