Christ Church at the center of life-and death in 1776 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Benjamin Franklin's grave has long drawn penny-tossing tourists, but beyond the walls of Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th and Arch Streets, you'll find nearly 4,000 people buried here, including five signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Venture over to 2nd and Market Streets to see a sixth signer, Robert Morris, considered the financier of the American Revolution, on the grounds of Christ Church.

The church stood at the center geographically, socially, and religiously of colonial life.

Inside, the sanctuary features a President's box used by George Washington and John Adams, a chandelier that has hung since 1744, and bells cast at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell.

A free America 250 exhibit at the Christ Church Neighborhood House shows how deeply divided the clergy and parishioners were over the Declaration of Independence with even families split over loyalty to the British Crown or the new nation.



Christ Church remains an active church with tours of the church and burial grounds, a blackbox theater in the Neighborhood House, a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays from May-November, and a free patriotic concert & historical presentation on July 4th.

Historic Christ Church | Facebook | Instagram

20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19106

Christ Church Burial Grounds

340 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106

Christ Church Neighborhood House

20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19106

July 4th concert & historical presentation

Echoes of Independence: Bells, Organ, and Revolution, July 4, noon-1pm