Religious Sites in Philadelphia

In a city with as much cultural history as Philadelphia, you'd expect to see some famous religious sites. Churches and synagogues in Philadelphia carry a lot of cultural weight as well as historical significance. Some provided spiritual solace for a few of our nation's founding fathers. Others house historical artifacts. And appropriately, these giants in Philadelphia history are completely free.

Arch Street United Methodist Church
Church and sanctuary, est. 1862, with neo-gothic architecture. (Donations accepted.)

Christ Church
This is "the nation's church" where George Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin worshiped. (Donations accepted.)

The Church of the Holy Trinity
For 140 years, the church has been spreading the Episcopal faith to the community.

Congregation Mikveh Israel
Mikveh Israel "The Hope of Israel" was founded in 1740 and is an unparalleled American Jewish Institution.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Founded in 1795, this is one of the oldest Ashkenazic congregations in the Western hemisphere.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
The first church in North America to call itself Unitarian. The First Unitarian Church is an intentionally diverse congregation which is inspired by historic urban ministry originally established in 1796.

Historic St. George's United Methodist Church
Among artifacts housed here are the Francis Asbury Bible, the John Wesley Chalice Cup and the Joseph Pilmoor Journal.

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
This site is the oldest piece of property continuously owned by African Americans. A small museum is located on the lower level, which contains the tomb of Richard Allen.

National Shrine of St. John Neumann
The body of St. John Neumann is laid to rest beneath the glass altar in the shrine.

Old First Reformed Church
One of the oldest German Reformed churches. It is now housed in a restored 1837 Federal-style building.

Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church
The building, which was designed by Robert Smith, is the only remaining Colonial Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. In the churchyard is the grave of William Hurry first read the Declaration of Independence. (Donations accepted.)

Old St. Mary's Church
This was the first cathedral of the Diocese of Philadelphia. The cemetery is the burial place of Commodore John Barry, "father of the American Navy."

St. John the Evangelist Church
Founded in 1830, the church of St. John is in the heart of Philadelphia. Thomas Penn, the great grandson of William Penn, is buried in the graveyard next to the church.

Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
This conservative synagogue is housed in a magnificent, historic Gothic stone building, which dates back to the 1890s. Visitors must check-in at Synagogue office.