St. Peter's Episcopal Church
- Architect
- Robert Smith
- Year
- 1761
- City
- Philadelphia, PA
St. Peter's Church opened for worship on September 4, 1761, on land at Third and Pine Streets donated by Thomas and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn, after Philadelphia's overcrowded Christ Church prompted a committee of parishioners to build a second Anglican church in the newly settled Society Hill. Designed by Scottish architect-builder Robert Smith, it served many of the nation's Founding Fathers during the Continental Congresses and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1996.
the building
The Penn family's gift. The land for St. Peter's was donated in 1757 by Governor Thomas and Richard Penn, and the Penn family coat of arms still hangs above the church's wine-glass pulpit and sounding board.
the architect
Robert Smith was a Scottish-born architect and builder responsible for several of colonial Philadelphia's most notable buildings, including Carpenters' Hall, the tower of Christ Church, and Nassau Hall at Princeton University.
significance
St. Peter's was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It remains an active parish today.
nearby
- Hill-Physick-Keith House
- Head House Square
- New Market and Head House
- Congregation B'nai Abraham
- Powel House
- Society Hill Towers