Christ Church and Burial Grounds

Thirteen years after the city of Philadelphia was founded (i.e. 1695), local members of the Church of England established Christ Church. It’s congregation would eventually include many famous American Revolutionary War participants, such as George Washington and fifteen signers of the Declaration of Independence. By 1696, they had constructed a small wooden church. Twenty years later, the congregation had outgrown this edifice, so they made plans to build “...the most sumptuous (new church) in the colonies.” Construction began in 1727 and concluded by 1744 - with the steeple being added by 1754. From 1754 until 1810, the church’s 196 foot tall tower and steeple was considered the tallest structure in North America. This building is now regarded as one of the nation’s most beautiful surviving 18th century structures. While some might say that this church lacks the luster of some of the more elegantly decorated churchs we’ve visited, to us, the simplicity of the interior was awesome!

In the early days of the Church, it’s members were buried in the churchyard, as was the Christian European custom. Once this location was filled, the congregation, in 1719, purchased two acres at the corner of 5th and Arch streets (now opposite the Philadelphia Mint which we will explore in another posting). This became one of America’s most unique Colonial and Revolutionary War graveyards. Over 4000 members of the congregation have this as their final resting place, including such notables as Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah, Commodore William Bainbridge (Captain of the U.S.S. Constitution - “Old Ironsides”), and Michael Hillegas, the first U.S. Treasurer. With over 100,000 visitors per year, this is one of Philadelphia’s top tourist attractions. With all of the history contained within, we found it hard to resist exploring this archive of America’s past.

Constructed between 1727 and 1744, Christ Church is considered to be one of the most beautiful surviving 18th century structures in the United States.

We loved the decorative simplicity of the interior! It reminded us the Old North Church in Boston.

During the early years, many of the congregation were famous participants of the American Revolution and had their own family pews...

...including this one belonging to George Washington.

Old painting depicting George Washington outside of Christ Church on Easter Sunday, 1795.

Just a couple of blocks away is the two acre Christ Church Burial Grounds...

...which includes the final resting places of many notables from the American Revolutionary War years...

...such as Benjamin Rush, M.D., signer of the Declaration of Independence...

...and of Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah. The placing of pennies on his grave is a Philadelphia tradition honoring his famous words “A penny saved is a penny earned,”