Christ Church - Revision history

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	'''Christ Church''' is a historic Episcopal church located at 20 North American Street in [[Old City, Philadelphia\|Old City]], founded in 1695 as the first Anglican parish in Pennsylvania. Often called "The Nation's Church," Christ Church was the place of worship for many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, [https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin], John Adams, and Betsy Ross. Its graceful Georgian steeple, rising 196 feet above the street, was the tallest structure in North America from its completion in 1754 until 1810.<ref name="history">{{cite web \|url=https://christchurchphila.org/about/history/ \|title=History of Christ Church \|publisher=Christ Church Philadelphia \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>		'''Christ Church''' is a historic Episcopal church located at 20 North American Street in [[Old City, Philadelphia\|Old City]], founded in 1695 as the first Anglican parish in Pennsylvania. Often called "The Nation's Church," Christ Church was the place of worship for many of the Founding Fathers, including [https://biography.wiki/a/George_Washington George Washington], [https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin], [https://biography.wiki/a/John_Adams John Adams], and Betsy Ross. Its graceful Georgian steeple, rising 196 feet above the street, was the tallest structure in North America from its completion in 1754 until 1810.<ref name="history">{{cite web \|url=https://christchurchphila.org/about/history/ \|title=History of Christ Church \|publisher=Christ Church Philadelphia \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

	The church remains an active Episcopal congregation while also serving as a major historic site, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The building is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.<ref name="nhl">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nps.gov/places/christ-church-philadelphia.htm \|title=Christ Church Philadelphia \|publisher=National Park Service \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>		The church remains an active Episcopal congregation while also serving as a major historic site, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The building is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.<ref name="nhl">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nps.gov/places/christ-church-philadelphia.htm \|title=Christ Church Philadelphia \|publisher=National Park Service \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
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	=== The Steeple ===		=== The Steeple ===

	The 196-foot steeple was added in '''1754''', funded in part by a lottery organized by Benjamin Franklin. For 56 years, the steeple was the tallest structure in the American colonies and later the United States, until it was surpassed by New York's Trinity Church in 1810.		The 196-foot steeple was added in '''1754''', funded in part by a lottery organized by [https://biography.wiki/a/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin]. For 56 years, the steeple was the tallest structure in the American colonies and later the United States, until it was surpassed by New York's Trinity Church in 1810.

	The steeple's bell, cast in 1754 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry (the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell), continues to ring for services and special occasions.		The steeple's bell, cast in 1754 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry (the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell), continues to ring for services and special occasions.

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	'''Christ Church''' is a historic Episcopal church located at 20 North American Street in [[Old City, Philadelphia\|Old City]], founded in 1695 as the first Anglican parish in Pennsylvania. Often called "The Nation's Church," Christ Church was the place of worship for many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Betsy Ross. Its graceful Georgian steeple, rising 196 feet above the street, was the tallest structure in North America from its completion in 1754 until 1810.<ref name="history">{{cite web \|url=https://christchurchphila.org/about/history/ \|title=History of Christ Church \|publisher=Christ Church Philadelphia \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>		'''Christ Church''' is a historic Episcopal church located at 20 North American Street in [[Old City, Philadelphia\|Old City]], founded in 1695 as the first Anglican parish in Pennsylvania. Often called "The Nation's Church," Christ Church was the place of worship for many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, [https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin], John Adams, and Betsy Ross. Its graceful Georgian steeple, rising 196 feet above the street, was the tallest structure in North America from its completion in 1754 until 1810.<ref name="history">{{cite web \|url=https://christchurchphila.org/about/history/ \|title=History of Christ Church \|publisher=Christ Church Philadelphia \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

	The church remains an active Episcopal congregation while also serving as a major historic site, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The building is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.<ref name="nhl">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nps.gov/places/christ-church-philadelphia.htm \|title=Christ Church Philadelphia \|publisher=National Park Service \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>		The church remains an active Episcopal congregation while also serving as a major historic site, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The building is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.<ref name="nhl">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nps.gov/places/christ-church-philadelphia.htm \|title=Christ Church Philadelphia \|publisher=National Park Service \|access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

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{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Christ Church
| type = Historic church
| address = 20 N American Street
| neighborhood = Old City
| phone = (215) 922-1695
| website = https://christchurchphila.org
| established = 1695
| hours = Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm
| public_transit = 2nd Street Station (MFL)
}}

'''Christ Church''' is a historic Episcopal church in [[Old City]], Philadelphia, often called "the Nation's Church" for its associations with the Founding Fathers. Founded in 1695, the current building (1744) hosted George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and other Revolutionary-era figures. The church continues as an active parish while welcoming visitors.<ref name="christchurch">{{cite web |url=https://christchurchphila.org |title=Christ Church |publisher=Christ Church Philadelphia |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding ===

Christ Church was founded in 1695 as a Church of England parish:

* First building: 1695 (small wooden structure)
* Current building: 1744 (Georgian, designed by John Kearsley)
* Steeple added 1754 (tallest structure in colonies)
* Continued after Revolution as Episcopal church

=== Revolutionary Congregation ===

The church's pews held the Revolution's leaders:

* '''George Washington*** — Attended when in Philadelphia
* '''Benjamin Franklin*** — Contributed to steeple construction
* '''John Adams*** — Attended while in Congress
* '''Betsy Ross''' — Married here (first marriage, 1773)
* '''Robert Morris*** — Financier of the Revolution
* Many signers of Declaration and Constitution

=== The Steeple ===

When completed in 1754, Christ Church's steeple was:

* 196 feet tall
* Tallest structure in the American colonies
* Remained Philadelphia's tallest until 1856
* Lightning rod designed by Franklin

== The Building ==

=== Architecture ===

Christ Church is a masterpiece of Georgian church architecture:

* Designed by physician-architect John Kearsley
* Influenced by Christopher Wren's London churches
* Palladian windows
* Box pews (some original)
* Wineglass pulpit

=== Interior ===

* Chandelier brought from England (1744)
* Washington and Franklin pews marked
* Historic organ
* Tiffany-era stained glass additions

== Christ Church Burial Ground ==

The church's burial ground is a separate site:

* Located at 5th and Arch Streets
* '''Benjamin Franklin's grave*** — Most visited site
* Other signers of Declaration buried here
* Separate admission

== Visiting ==

=== The Church ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Detail !! Information
|-
| '''Hours''' || Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm
|-
| '''Admission''' || Suggested donation $5
|-
| '''Address''' || 20 N American Street
|-
| '''Time needed''' || 20-30 minutes
|-
| '''Active church''' || Services on Sundays
|}

=== Burial Ground ===

* Separate location: 5th and Arch Streets
* Separate admission ($5)
* See Benjamin Franklin's grave
* Open seasonally

== Getting There ==

* '''SEPTA Subway''' — 2nd Street Station (Market-Frankford Line)
* '''Walking''' — In Old City, off Market Street
* '''Near''' — Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

{{FAQ
|q1=Did George Washington go to Christ Church?
|a1=Yes, George Washington attended Christ Church when in Philadelphia. His pew is marked and visible to visitors. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Betsy Ross, and other Founders also worshipped here.

|q2=Is Benjamin Franklin buried at Christ Church?
|a2=Benjamin Franklin is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground, a separate site at 5th and Arch Streets. It's not at the church itself. You can see Franklin's grave by visiting the burial ground (separate admission).

|q3=Is Christ Church still a church?
|a3=Yes, Christ Church is an active Episcopal parish that holds regular services. Visitors are welcome to attend worship. The church balances its role as a historic site with its continuing religious mission.

|q4=How tall was Christ Church's steeple?
|a4=At 196 feet, Christ Church's steeple (completed 1754) was the tallest structure in the American colonies. It remained Philadelphia's tallest building for over a century. Benjamin Franklin contributed to its construction and designed the lightning rod.
}}

== See Also ==

* [[Old City]]
* [[Benjamin Franklin]]
* [[Independence Hall]]
* [[Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://christchurchphila.org Official Website]

{{#seo:
|title=Christ Church Philadelphia - The Nation's Church Since 1695
|description=Christ Church in Old City is where Washington, Franklin, and the Founders worshipped. Historic 1744 Georgian church with marked pews and Colonial-era atmosphere.
|keywords=Christ Church Philadelphia, Nation's Church, George Washington church, Benjamin Franklin church, Old City, Colonial Philadelphia, Episcopal church
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Churches]]
[[Category:Old City]]
[[Category:American Revolution]]