Christ Church, Philadelphia

Christ Church was founded in 1695 (as an Anglican Church). It still survives today and just about every famous person who lived or passed through Philadelphia seems to have worshipped here. The church is also where the American Episcopal denomination was started after shrugging off the British Monarchy.

As morbid as it sounds, I enjoyed visiting the Burial Grounds at Christ Church more than the church itself. They are located a couple of blocks west of the church. The Burial Grounds Serves as the final resting place for a literal who's who of Founders of the United States. There are seven signers of the Declaration of Independence buried here as well as 5 signers of the Constitution of the United States.

Benjamin Franklin is the most popular Grave site (covered with pennies left by visitors). Bainbridge, a proponent of a strong Navy and one of the founders is buried here also. Benjamin Rush, an important figure in American History and the Founder of American Psychology is also here. There is a small entrance fee to get in. I think it was $2.00 when I went in 2007. You'll get that back and then some when reading the different graves.

Many American cities were founded on religious ideas. For example, Boston was founded by Puritans and Salt Lake City was founded by Mormons. Philadelphia was founded by a Quaker on the idea of religious freedom. As a result, new religions florished. One of these new religions was Episcopalian, the religion to which the founding fathers predominantly belongs. Philadelphia's main Episcopalian church was Christ Church and its attendees is a veritable "who's who" in the founding of America. The church itself is not particularly fancy but I would certainly recommend going to a service to experience a glimpse of what some of the founding fathers might have seen every Sunday as they were changing the world. Not to far from Christ Church is the burial grounds where Franklin and some other important Americans are buried, also worth seeing although only from the outside as they charge you to go inside.

Christ Church has had a rich history from its original founding in the late 1600's to the present day. The original building was a wood and brick structure. The current structure, begun in 1727 and is said to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America. Leaders of the American Revolution and other prominent people attended worship services within its walls.

People like General George Washington, Robert Morris, Absalom Jones, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Rush worshiped here. Benjamin Franklin conceived a way of providing a steeple by the use of a lottery. Christ Church is known as "The Nation's Church" because so many of the Revolutionary leaders attended the services.

Christ Church was the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania. It is also where the American Episcopal church was born. Costumed characters add a touch of realism to your visit!

There is a burial ground open to the public at another location. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 9am-5 pm; Sun. 12:30 pm-5 pm.

3 more images

Christ Church is where colonial patriots, loyalists, and heroes worshipped including Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. Our own long-ago ancestor, Patrick Gordon, who was the second governor of Pennsylvania worshipped here as well. This was the founding church of the Episcopal Church in America and is celebrated for its historic, architectural and religious importance.

Also visit the Christ Church burial ground located at 5th and Arch Streets ( two blocks from the Independence Visitor Center) where five signers of the Declaration of Independence (Revoluationary War) are buried, early Americans (including the founders of the US Navy and America's early medical pioneers), and Benjamin Franklin.

A beautiful old cemetary that is home to the graves of 5 signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Benjamen Franklin (one of my son's heros). Everywhere, I read that entry fees were by donation. Not that I minded paying $6 for the four of us, but be prepared, you don't get in unless you pay. That day, there was a scavenger hunt of sorts sponsored by Christ Church where children were to find the graves of the 7 signers of the Declaration of Independence buried there and at Christ Church itself and answer questions about each of them. At the end, the children received a small gift bag for the completion of the hunt. That was pretty neat.

Mon-Sat 10-4
Sun 12-4
Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25 and Dec 31

Imagine going to church and sitting next to Benjamin Franklin. A few pews from George Washington. Hey, there's Betsy Ross. If you went to Christ Church in the late 18th century, you may very well have worshipped with those luminaries, and more.

The creme de la creme of Philadelphia society worshipped at Christ Church. It's not ornate in the least; in fact, it's very simplicity is quite striking. It was founded in 1696 (though it's not the oldest church in Philadelphia).

Walking in and around Christ Church, you feel the history in all who have come here. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried on its grounds. Christ Church was indeed an important place to be in 18th century Philadelphia.

Christ Church is, in fact, a working church first & a tourist destination second. Services are held on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, and are open to the public. They also hold weddings and baptisms. The church itself is open to the public daily. Volunteers are available to answer your questions - in fact, they're quite helpful and friendly.

It was an honor indeed to have been on these famous, sacred grounds.

1 more image

The beautiful simplicity of Christ Church is evident on the outside too. What struck me the most, though, was the spire. It was, for 75 years, the tallest structure in Philadelphia, if not the whole country. One of the helpful volunteers referred to it as "America's First Skyscraper".

Our most beautiful one too, in one man's opinion.

1 more image

Unlike the City Tavern, Christ Church is an authentic structure from the Colonial period, standing here since 1744, and for a long time the tallest structure in the Colonies. George Washington and his wife Martha among others worshipped in this building. The baptismal font in which William Penn was baptized adorns the building outside. Philadelphia "Colonials" often man this oft-visited building, sometimes asking for a $2 donation for your visit. Outside you'll find the architecture a wonderful gem of Georgian style, and the interior (though not as ornate as others) a fine noble nave well-illumined by a host of tall windows. Photographs are permitted inside, but finding a suitable angle outside from which to capture the entire steeple is a difficult chore.