Old St. Mary's Church

Old St. Mary Church - 1763

This was/is by far the most breathtaking church I entered!. Just stunning and the pictures here will not do it justice. The stained glass, intricate wood carvings, marble colums, goldleaf and a ceiling mural.

The light was dim, however, the columns are marble, topped with goldleaf

The ceiling, and it has small painted stars

The altar and its stained glass crucifixtion

The goldleaf doesn't show well in the dim light

The back of the church, organ at top

Ornate and detailed wood carvings

The back of the church, standing in the cemetery

Burials to the side of the church

Oldest legible stone is from 1769

Unusual stones

Historic Churches of Philadelphia #3

Old Pine Presbyternian Church - 1760

John Adams and Dr. Benjamin Rush took services here when they were in town.

Over 350 men of the church served in the American Revolution. The burial ground has 121 soldiers, members of the Continental Congress, Constitutional Convention and a signer of the Constitution.

The interior of this church is unsual with its symbolism and use of pastel colors.

Climbing the stairs and looking up at the colonades, very ornate

This picture is not going to reflect the colors very well.

Very intricately carved rosettes and designs on the balcony

A mixture of blues, peaches, pinks and purples color the walls

Church Organ

There are 20 different symbols on the wall pattern. Each circle has one symbol.

A sea of patriot soldiers.

St. Peter's Church - 1760

This is originally began as an Anglican Church, which was the established Church of England. When the colonies declared Independence and broke from England, the Anglicans became Episcopalian.

Interior and its beautiful stained glass

Interior

church organ upstairs

layout of the church burial grounds. Banker Nicholas Biddle, Vice President George Mifflin Dallas and Naval hero Stephen Decatur are buried here along with Charles Wilson Peale, the famous portrait artist of our Founding Fathers.

Grave of Charles Wilson Peale. See my page on the 2nd Bank of the US Portrait Gallery to view dozens of his paintings of our Presidents.

Unusual stones

Old Christ Church & Burial Grounds of Ben Franklin

Old Christ Church - 1695

This is Ben Franklin's church and he is buried in the Christ Church burial grounds about a block away. George Washington and five other signers of the Declaration of Independence or Constitution took services here and are buried in the cemetery.

Inside looking toward the Pulpit on the left

Ben Franklins pew is third on the left, #70

Close up of Ben Franklin's pew. He wanted to remain further back so he could sleep unnoticed he said.

George Washington took services here when he was President. Philadelphia was the nation's first capital.

The church organ

The Baptism Font where many children of Patriots have been baptised. Still in use today

Christ Church Burial Grounds

Epitaph of Ben Franklin

Graves of Ben Franklin and his wife Deborah Read

Burial of James Wilson, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States.

Burial of Dr. Benjamin Rush, Founding Father, fervent Patriot, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Physician to the Continental Army

Burials of George Ross and Roger Hewes. Both are Signers of the Declaration of Independence and members of the Continental Congresses.

Burial of Francis Hopkinson, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

A pleasnt walk through the graveyard on a crisp fall day.