Saint Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

You’re standing right in front of Saint Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Can you imagine how different the world was when this church was built in 1752? Saint Peter’s is an incredible church, and we are lucky to have it still standing today. Throughout its history, Saint Peter’s has been a beacon of faith and has played a small but significant role in the American Revolution. On May 20, 1778, a skirmish took place in the churchyard between British forces occupying Philadelphia and a contingent of General George Washington’s Continental Army. This event, known as the Battle of Barren Hill, gave General Washington a close encounter with the church, since he had been retreating through Barren Hill a year prior after the Battle of Germantown. The British forces had surrounded the church and the Continental Army, but General Lafayette, who had been appointed by General Washington to take command of the Continental Army, used the steeple of the church as a lookout to escape the trap.
This church played an important role in keeping American history alive. Can you sense the spirit of freedom that permeates the walls of this church? As you stand here, you can almost hear the echoes of the past, of the prayers uttered within its walls and the battles fought in its yard. The church has seen Philadelphia change over the centuries, from a growing city to a bustling metropolis. Today, Saint Peter’s is still a place of worship and community, and a reminder of the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity.