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Christ Church
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.
Notably, the tower and steeple made it the tallest building in America until 1856.
Once the home of worship for prominent history-makers, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and George Washington, Christ Church 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.
Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania. It is also where the American Episcopal Church was born.
Christ Church was founded in 1695 as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania.
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.
The chandelier that hangs from the ceiling has been in use since its installation in 1740.
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.
— Photo by P. Meyer for Visit Philadelphia
The church receives visitors during normal operating hours, which vary depending on the day of the week. Check the official website for the most current hours and admission fees.
Guests who want to walk through the house of worship on their own can purchase a map, and knowledgable guides are available for 20-minute tours.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.