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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.
Once the home of worship for prominent history-makers, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and George Washington, Christ Church is where the American Episcopal Church was born. Today, it 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.
Read on for a guide to Christ Church in Philadelphia.
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.
— Photo by P. Meyer for Visit Philadelphia
Visitors to Christ Church can take a self-guided tour of the historic space or take a professionally guided tour lasting approximately 20-30 minutes.
The chandelier that hangs from the ceiling has been in use since its installation in 1740.
The church’s campus also contains a performance venue called Neighborhood House as well as the Christ Church Burial Ground, the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania.
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.
The church would later ordain Absalom Jones as the country’s first African American Episcopal priest after he was freed from enslavement.
Notably, the tower and steeple made Christ Church the tallest building in America until 1856.
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Christ Church receives visitors daily (except Sundays) for self-guided or professionally guided tours.
Tickets are required for both Christ Church tours, with an option to combine a self-guided tour of the church with a self-guided tour of the nearby burial ground.
For information and hours for the other Christ Church campus attractions, visit the official Neighborhood House website and head to the official Christ Church Burial Grounds page.
For more on Christ Church, click the button below.
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