Christ Church
Philadelphia PA
2016

Where colonial America made its break with the Church of England ...

Christ Church is an Episcopal church in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. Founded in 1695 as a parish of the Church of England, it played an integral role in the founding of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.

Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania. It is also where the American Episcopal Church was born. Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania.

https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/christ-church/

A beautiful example of Georgian colonial architecture, Christ Church is bordered by a tree-lined brick path, a small park and a cobblestone alley, which provide the perfect setting for this historic treasure.

Notably, the tower and steeple made it the tallest building in America until 1856.

Once the home of worship for prominent history-makers, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and George Washington, Christ Church remains an active Episcopal Church and continues to hold weekly services.

Guided tours dive into its 300-plus year history and the prolific role that the Church played during the American Revolution.

Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania. It is also where the American Episcopal Church was born.

Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania.

The current Christ Church building was constructed between 1727 and 1744, taking the church from a small brick-and-wood structure to a grand example of Georgian architecture. The interior is just as impressive as its exterior, featuring a baptismal font from the 1300s that was donated by the church in London where William Penn was baptized.

The chandelier that hangs from the ceiling has been in use since its installation in 1740.

By 1758, the original parish had grown so large that a second establishment, St. Peter’s Church, was built at 3rd and Pine streets. When National Days of Prayer were declared, President Washington and the legislative bodies attended Christ Church en masse.