Philadelphia - The City Founded On Freedom Of Religion - Offers Abundance Of Religious Art And Architecture

PHILADELPHIA...April 2008...When English Quaker William Penn founded Philadelphia, he welcomed people of all religions. People of many different beliefs settled in "The City of Brotherly Love," bringing their traditions, cuisines, religious beliefs, and their art. Perhaps as a result of Penn's hospitality to all, the city has become a center for religious art. Philadelphia art museums are home to many religious pieces among their collections. Many religious buildings of architectural significance were built in Philadelphia and important permanent and changing exhibits of a religious nature can be found throughout the city.

Museums with Works of Religious Significance

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest art museum in the United States. It showcases more than 2,000 years of exceptional human creativity in masterpieces of painting, sculpture, decorative arts and architectural settings from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Various works of a religious nature can be found in the European and Asian galleries and throughout the museum, including "Desiderio da Settignano's Virgin and Child," Rev. George Geistweit's "Illustrated Biblical Text," the "Seated Bodhisattva" from the T'ang Dynasty, France's "Portal from the Abbey Church of Saint-Laurent" and Edward Hicks' "Noah's Ark." 26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215/763-8100, www.philamuseum.org.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts specializes in the work of American artists. Among its permanent collection are several works with religious themes, including Benjamin West's "Christ Rejected" and "Death on the Pale Horse;" Washington Allston's "The Dead Man Restored to Life by Touching the Bones of Prophet Elisha;" Daniel Huntington's "Mercy's Dream" and "Christiana and Her Family Passing Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death;" Charles Willson "Peale's Noah" and "His Ark," and Henry O. Tanner's "Nicodemus. 118 N. Broad Street, 215/972-7600, www.pafa.org.

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology focuses on advancing the understanding of the world?s cultural heritage through its research, collection and programming. The museum has many objects of religious and spiritual importance among its collection, which includes materials from ancient through traditional cultures from around the world. 3260 South Street, 215/898-4000, www.museum.upenn.edu.

artists. American postcolonial Christian imagery is represented in an exciting and diverse collection of New Mexican santos. These, in combination with African ritual objects, T'ang Dynasty Buddhist sculptures and Egyptian sculptures representing the various Egyptian deities, make The Barnes Foundation a "must see" for visitorsThe Barnes Foundation collection spans thousands of years and
includes Greek, Egyptian and Roman antiquities; Native American
ceramics, textiles and jewelry; African sculptures; 13th- through
20th-century European paintings and sculptures; and American paintings
from the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the religious imagery in the
foundation's collection is a wealth of Christian images by artists,
including El Greco, Rubens, Delacroix, Veronese and other Spanish,
Flemish, French, and Italian in search of religious images translated into powerful aesthetic experiences. Advanced reservations are required and tickets are $10.00. 300 N. Latch's Lane, Merion, PA, 610/667-0290, www.barnesfoundation.org.

The National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation to offer education, exhibits, and programs dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Jewish people in America. The entrance to the soon-to-expand museum is marked by a powerful religious sculpture, "Religious Liberty" an allegorical work by Sir Moses Jacob Ezekiel symbolizing republican freedom. The museum shares a home with Congregation Mikveh Israel, one of the first organized Jewish congregations in the country, and it is known as the "Synagogue of the American Revolution." A new, larger museum is under construction and expected to open July 2010. Independence Mall East, 55 N. 5th Street, 215/923-3811, nmajh.org.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the culture of African Americans. The collection is the first African American museum in the U.S. and includes many religious artifacts, including lithographs of artist Alan Rohan Crite, who examines figures from the Old Testament. Changing exhibits often feature artwork with spiritual or religious themes, such as artist Ira Tucker's works, which are currently on display. 701 Arch Street, 215/574-0380, www.aampmuseum.org.

The National Liberty Museum features more than 100 contemporary works of art by world-renowned artists that support its mission of celebrating our nation's heritage and freedom and the wonderful diverse society it has produced. Nearly every exhibit includes a work in glass illustrating the beauty and fragility of freedom. Visitors find bronze sculptures, original oil paintings, and several unusual works in unexpected mediums. In ?Coming to America,? for example, sculptures depict religious persecution, one of the reasons people settled in America. "Voyage to Liberty through Faith" features 12 original, commissioned stained glass images of biblical heroes who inspired people to come to this country. 321 Chestnut Street, 215/925-2800, www.libertymuseum.org.

Places of Worship

Philadelphia is home to many early-American places of worship. Many of the buildings are architectural treasurers and others house religious art museums or artist treasures.

The Arch Street Meeting House was built in 1804 on land granted to William Penn. The meeting house features dioramas, a slide show on Penn, displays of Quaker artifacts and a special exhibit entitled "Philadelphia Quakers - Politics and Government. 320 Arch Street, 215/627-2667, www.archstreetfriends.org.

Beth Sholom Congregation is full of symbolism incorporating aspects of Judaism and modern concepts as designated by the distinguished 20th-century American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, 215/887-1342, www.bethsholomcongregation.org.

Christ Church, called "The Nation's Church," was where Colonial patriots, loyalists and heroes worshiped. It is celebrated for its historical, architectural and ecclesiastical importance. It is the founding church of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. The church is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America and many of the furnishings within the church are from its 18th-century beginnings, including a baptismal font used to baptize William Penn in London. 20 N. American Street, 215/922-1695, www.christchurchphila.org.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom is one of the oldest Ashkenazic congregations in the Western hemisphere. The building's Byzantine-Moorish architecture was modeled after the Great Synagogue of Florence, Italy. A collection of more than 500 works of Jewish ritual and ceremonial art dating back to the 1700s is on display. The synagogue?s Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art features three original exhibits of contemporary Jewish art. 615 N. Broad Street, 215/627-6747, www.rodephshalom.org.

The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia was founded in 1698. This historic church's building, constructed in 1872, is a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture, including magnificent Tiffany windows. 201 S. 21st Street, 215/567-0532, www.fpcphila.org.

The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia was established in 1796, and was the first church in North America to call itself Unitarian. The current church building, a registered landmark, was built in 1885. The only Center City church designed by famous Philadelphia architect Frank Furness, it exhibits the congregation's religious philosophy and the architect's unique style. 2125 Chestnut Street, 215/563-3980, www.firstuu-philly.org.

Historic Saint George's United Methodist Church is the oldest continuously used United Methodist Church in America (since 1769) and an example of early Colonial architecture. Among artifacts housed are the Frances Asbury Bible, the John Wesley Chalice Cup and the Joseph Pilmoor Journal. 235 N. 4th Street, 215/925-7788, www.historicstgeorges.org.

The Old First Reformed Church, United Church of Christ is one of the oldest German Reformed churches. The church, established in 1727, is reclaiming and restoring its former building, erected in 1837, and today is a healthy and vibrant congregation engaged in ministry to the community, the city and the world. 151 N. 4th Street, 215/922-4566, www.oldfirstucc.org.

Saint John the Evangelist was founded and built in 1830. Artwork can be found throughout the church, including German stained glass windows and an Italian marble statue of Mary that was built in Italy in 1840, taken to America in the 1850s, and survived a blaze in 1899. 21 S. 13th Street, 215/563-4145, www.stjohnsphilly.com.

Saint Peter's Church was built in 1761, and has been virtually unchanged. Its rare layout, wine glass pulpit, ornate organ case and original box pews, including # 41, where the Washingtons sat with the Powels, remains a testimony to the past. 313 Pine Street, 215/925-5968, www.stpetersphila.org.

Bright Hope Baptist Church has a 97-year history of Christian worship, spiritual growth, civic involvement, and commitment to social justice for African Americans. The Church has a stained glass window with the largest Black face of Jesus Christ in the world. 1601-51 N. 12th Street, 215/232-6004, www.brighthopebaptist.org.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church is the oldest plot continuously owned by African Americans and the first A.M.E. Church in the world, A.M.E being African Methodist Episcopal. The lower level museum features the tomb of Richard Allen and 19th century artifacts. 419 S. Sixth Street, 215/925-0616, www.motherbethel.org.

Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church traces its origin to the church on Tinicum Island which was dedicated by a well-known missionary, Johannes Campanius. The bell in the steeple is actually from the congregation of Tinicum Island. This was the first Christian Church built in the Delaware Valley in 1646. 916 S. Swanson Street, 215/389-1513, www.colonialswedes.org.

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Who we are: The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.

Our mission: To generate economic impact and job growth by increasing the region's hotel occupancy and revenues, while concurrently affecting other diverse segments of the hospitality industry. To do whatever it takes to attract ethnically diverse regional, national and international convention and tourism customers through creative sales, marketing and communications efforts. To deliver exceptional service and experiences for all, ensuring repeat business across market segments. To increase the quality of life for all our citizens, stakeholders, and visitors by supporting the region's vibrant arts and entertainment, historic, cultural, retail, restaurant, and sports venues.