St. Thomas' African Episcopal Church
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Organized in 1792 as an outgrowth of the Free African Society, formed 1787. The original church edifice stood here. Under the ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones (1746-1818), a former slave, this became the nation's first Black Episcopal church.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Organized in 1792 out of the earlier Free African Society founded in 1787, St. Thomas' grew from Philadelphia's flourishing free Black community into the nation's first Black Episcopal church, its original building standing on this site. Its leader, the Rev. Absalom Jones, had been born enslaved and became the first Black priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. The congregation embodied the drive of free African Americans in the early republic to build institutions of their own.
Why it matters
It marks a landmark of Black self-determination in early America, where a formerly enslaved man led the founding of a church that still anchors African American religious history.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Philosophical Hall0.1 mi away · PA
- Powel House0.2 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Old City Hall0.2 mi away · Philadelphia
- Independence Hall0.2 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hill-Physick House0.2 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank0.2 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Second Bank of the United States0.2 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.2 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.2 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.3 mi away
- City Tavern0.3 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- FRIEDA0.2 mi away · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Red Owl Tavern0.2 mi away · 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.2 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Social0.2 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden0.2 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.2 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.2 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.2 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.3 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.3 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels0.3 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.3 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · Absalom Jones
Related events
- · Free African Society
Themes & tags
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