Christ Church
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Founded, 1695. Erection of present building begun in 1727. Bells were brought from England in 1754. Among the noted persons buried here are James Wilson and Robert Morris, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Bishop White.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Founded in 1695, Christ Church became the spiritual home of colonial Philadelphia's Anglican community, its present building begun in 1727 and crowned with bells brought from England in 1754. Its burial ground holds figures central to the nation's founding, including Declaration of Independence signers James Wilson and Robert Morris, along with Bishop William White.
Why it matters
Often called "the Nation's Church," it links a colonial congregation to the founders who worshiped in Philadelphia and shaped American independence.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Larry Becker Contemporary Artnearby · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallerynearby · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallerynearby · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House0.1 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Paradigm Gallery + Studio0.1 mi away · 12 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- United States Postal Service Museum0.2 mi away · 316 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Elfreth's Alley0.1 mi away
- First Bank of the United States0.2 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.3 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Benjamin Franklin Grave0.3 mi away
- Carpenters' Hall0.3 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Tour0.3 mi away
Food & drink
- PrimoHoagies0.1 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fork0.1 mi away · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- 3J's Cafe0.2 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bubble Tea Room0.2 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Menagerie Coffee0.2 mi away · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanics0.2 mi away · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
Places to stay
- The Philadelphia Housenearby · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn's View Hotelnearby · 14 North Front Street, Philadelphia
- Apple Hostels0.2 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.2 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.2 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing0.2 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · James Wilson
- · Robert Morris
- · Bishop William White
Related events
- · Signing of the Declaration of Independence
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2026
Gouverneur Morris served as a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and it was his pen that gave the finished document much of its final polish. He is remembered as the "Penman of the Constitution" for drafting the Preamble and its ringing opening words, "We the People." During that momentous summer he lodged at Mary Dalley's boarding house nearby.
Betsy Ross (1752-1836)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2009
A working upholsterer in Revolutionary Philadelphia, Betsy Ross is remembered by tradition as the maker of the first stars and stripes. What is certain is that she was a skilled artisan who sewed flags for the government for more than fifty years, sustaining her family through war and the young republic's early decades. Her story stands for the countless women whose labor and enterprise kept households and a new nation afloat.
Haym Salomon (1740-1785)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1997
Haym Salomon arrived in America around 1772, an immigrant who threw himself into the Revolutionary cause and was twice imprisoned by the British. From Philadelphia he worked as a broker and money-lender, extending enormous credit to help keep the struggling war effort and the young government solvent. Active in the city's Jewish community, he was never repaid and died in debt.
National Funeral for President Washington
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1999
When George Washington died in December 1799, Philadelphia was still the nation's capital, and Congress set aside December 26 for formal mourning. The national memorial service filled Zion Lutheran Church, which stood on this site from 1766 to 1870, with President John Adams among the mourners. It was here that Congressman Henry Lee delivered the immortal eulogy remembering Washington as 'first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'