Old St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
In 1729, Rev. Joseph Greaton, SJ, established the earliest foundation of Catholicism in Pa. He was the church's first pastor and the only Catholic priest in Philadelphia when the church was built in 1733. Jesuits from this parish founded the early frontier missions of Conewago in Adams County and Goshenhoppen in Berks County, as well as the first Catholic churches in New Jersey and Delaware.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1729, Jesuit priest Joseph Greaton established the earliest Catholic foundation in Pennsylvania, and by 1733 a church stood here in a colony that granted rare tolerance to Catholics. Greaton was for a time the only Catholic priest in Philadelphia. From this parish, Jesuits went on to found frontier missions in Adams and Berks counties and the first Catholic churches in New Jersey and Delaware.
Why it matters
Old St. Joseph's marks the cradle of organized Catholic life in the mid-Atlantic, a testament to the fragile religious liberty that would later be enshrined in the nation's founding.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- New Hall Military Museumnearby · Philadelphia
- Merchants' Exchange Buildingnearby · 143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Living History Center0.1 mi away
- Powel House0.1 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank0.1 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Museum of the American Revolution0.1 mi away · 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Carpenters' Hallnearby · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United Statesnearby · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.1 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.2 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Liberty Bell0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.3 mi away
Food & drink
- FRIEDAnearby · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Buddakan0.1 mi away · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Social0.1 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Olivier Cafe0.1 mi away · 50 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Red Owl Tavern0.2 mi away · 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanics0.2 mi away · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
Places to stay
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.1 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.2 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.2 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels0.2 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.2 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.2 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Joseph Greaton
Themes & tags
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