The historic churches of Philadelphia provide an incredible insight into the founding of this city of brotherly love and speak to William Penn’s original goal of allowing freedom of worship.  Thousands of immigrants came to the city in the late 1600s and early 1700s to escape British and European religious persecution, happy for a place to live in peace!

You’ll discover historic congregations, many of which were the first of their denomination, including the Methodist church of St. George’s in Old City, Mother Bethel AME Church founded by Richard Allen, and, of course, Christ Church, originally an Anglican Church, but which became the founding church of the Episcopal movement after the War of Independence.  Visit some unusual sanctuaries, including St. Peter’s which as its altar and pulpits at opposite ends of the church, and Old Swede’s, the oldest church building in Pennsylvania, and adorned with models of the first Swedish ships to bring immigrants to Philadelphia.  Find out about early Jewish settlers, and visit Rodeph Shalom or Mikveh Israel.  Perhaps you’ll want to visit the National American Jewish History Museum either during or at the end of your driving tour.

You can, of course, mix this tour with a tour of other parts of the city, perhaps visiting the parks, or viewing the architecture or finding out about famous Philly people such as Franklin, Richard Allen, Absalom Jones or Rebecca Gratz.