St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church

A beacon of faith and fortitude, St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church has stood on Queen Street for nearly two centuries. It has witnessed Philadelphia’s tumultuous history unfold. St. Philip Neri’s story begins in 1840. It became the ninth Catholic church in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. A generous bequest from Andrew Steele made its construction possible. He desired a church in Southwark, then part of Philadelphia County, but not yet within the city limits. Initially, a property on Fifth Street was acquired in 1836, but later sold in favor of the current Queen Street location. This proved more central to the growing population. Interestingly, Queen Village, where St. Philip Neri resides, takes its name from Queen Christina of Sweden. She was a fascinating figure who abdicated her throne, embraced Catholicism, and now rests in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Designed by the young, 18-year-old architect Napoleon LeBrun, St. Philip Neri was his first major commission. LeBrun would later design prominent Philadelphia landmarks. These included the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul and the Academy of Music. The church’s cornerstone was laid on July 31, 1840, and Bishop Kenrick dedicated it on May 9, 1841. St. Philip Neri holds several distinctions. It was the first “free church” in the region. It didn’t rely on pew rentals, a common practice at the time. It also housed the first free Catholic school in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, initially with lay teachers. Later, the Sisters of St. Joseph began their Philadelphia ministry there. In 1844, the young parish became embroiled in the violent Nativist riots. Rifles stored in the church for protection, with Father Dunn’s permission, sparked the conflict. The ensuing siege required military intervention. The 1853 inauguration of the Forty Hours Devotion at St. Philip Neri marks another milestone. Bishop John Neumann, now Saint John Neumann, introduced this diocesan-wide practice on the Feast of Corpus Christi. This also happened to be the feast day of St. Philip Neri, known for his devotion to the Eucharist. Throughout its existence, St. Philip Neri has served a diverse working-class population, including many immigrants. In 2006, the nearby St. Stanislaus Parish, a Polish personal parish, joined St. Philip Neri. Today, St. Philip Neri remains a vital part of a changing Queen Village. The influx of young professionals brings a renewed vibrancy to the parish and its community.