Imagine stepping onto Third and Pine Streets in Philadelphia. Before you stands St. Peter’s Episcopal Church a beacon of history and faith. Its elegant Georgian architecture whispers tales of centuries past. This isn’t just any church. St Peter’s opened in 1761. It served as a spiritual haven for many Founding Fathers during the Continental Congresses. The building itself a masterpiece of design. Scottish architect Robert Smith designed it. He also designed Carpenters’ Hall and the tower of Christ Church. The church’s construction cost a hefty sum. Much of the £5000 needed was raised by lottery.
The interior is a time capsule. Original high-backed box pews remain. These were designed to keep worshippers warm in the winter. Mayor Samuel Powel’s box a favorite spot for George and Martha Washington is still there. The pulpit and lectern face the congregation. This unique arrangement focuses attention on the Word of God reflecting the era’s religious ideals. Services were even held at both ends of the church. That’s why the pews remain.
But St. Peter’s story extends beyond its architecture. Its history is interwoven with the lives of its parishioners some slave owners. One remarkable individual was Absalom Jones. A slave himself Jones became a highly respected leader. He cofounded the Free African Society. Later he founded the first African-American Episcopal Church. He was also the first black Episcopal priest ordained in the United States.
The church’s tower and steeple added later by renowned architect William Strickland. They house a chime of eight bells. These bells were donated by Benjamin Chew Willcocks and cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London. The same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell.
St. Peter’s churchyard is a final resting place for notable figures. Commodore Stephen Decatur a naval hero rests there. So does John Nixon the man who first publicly read the Declaration of Independence. Painter Charles Willson Peale and Vice President George Mifflin Dallas are also buried here. Even eight Native American chiefs who died of yellow fever in 1793 are interred on the grounds.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church more than a building. It’s a living testament to Philadelphia’s rich history. It’s a place where faith community and history intertwine. A place where the echoes of the past resonate with the life of today. Step inside. Let its enduring spirit inspire you.