Christ Church is a National Historic Landmark and an active church. We welcome you to the church and burial ground where you will discover a treasury of American stories about faith and the quest for freedom in a changing nation.


 

Read the blogs of Neil Ronk, our historian and John Hopkins, our burial ground coordinator at
 www.historymadefresh.blogspot.com
and
www.hoponhistory.blogspot.com

 Christ Church
2nd and Market Streets


Visit the church attended by many of the Founding Fathers including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Absalom Jones. The tour "Patriot Church" focuses on the religious, architectural, and political significance of one of the enduring institutions of Philadelphia. Guided tours last about 20 minutes and are given throughout the day. The church is open Wednesday-Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday from 1-5 PM.  Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February. Free. Donations accepted. Groups of 25 or more should make a reservation for a tour. Stop by the Christ Church Museum Shop when you visit for a unique selection of gifts. All proceeds from the museum shop support the preservation of Christ Church.

 

 



Christ Church Burial Ground
5th and Arch Streets
  

The Christ Church Burial Ground is the final resting place of over 4000 people including Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence, prominent physicians, and military heroes from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. Notable heroes buried here include Joseph Hewes, Commodore William Bainbridge, General Jacob Morgan, and Civil War Generals George Cadwalder and McCall. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 AM to 4PM, Sunday from noon-4PM;  closed  January and February. December hours are Friday and Saturday from noon-4 pm and open December 26-30 from noon-4 pm, weather permitting. We can accomodate guided tours at the burial ground on other days in December  with an advanced reservation. Admission Fee: $2/Adults, with a guided tour $5; $1/Students, with a guided tour $2; $25/Group up to 25 people. Free guided tour for active military.  Guided tours are given from 11 AM-3:30 PM daily. Admission fees and guided tour fees  support the preservation of Christ Church Burial Ground.  

 

Revolutionary Americans Guided Tour-this 15 minute tour features the history of the burial ground and stories of the Revolutionary people buried  here who have connections to Christ Church. 11 AM-3:30PM. Guided tour is an additional fee of $3/adults and $1/ children.

  

 Christ Church

Sarah’s Story Interpretive Program-Christ Church presents Sarah’s Story: Slavery in Philadelphia. Hear stories about slavery and its connection to Christ Church. It is an interpretive drama appropriate for all audiences featuring “Sarah,” a costumed interpreter who relates her daily life as an enslaved person in colonial Philadelphia; “Mr. Edwards’” who presents the view point of a slave owner, along with a guide who provides perspective and historical overview. The presentation is followed by a discussion.

Click here to view WHYY’s Arts and Culture Experience segment about Sarah's Story. Congratulations to WHYY Trudi Brown and Nina Shelton who received an award from  the Society of Professional Journalists for their work on this segment.

 

Groups can make reservations for a private evening presentation at Christ Church. For pricing and additional information, please contact Anne McLaughlin at amclaughlin@christchurchphila.org or call 215-922-1695 x32.

 

For information about other historic sites in the Greater Philadelphia area that explore the legacy of enslaved people and their quest to be free visit www.questforfreedom.org

 

Now available in the Christ Church Museum Shop! Sarah’s Story DVD produced in conjunction with public television station WHYY.

 

The classroom edition, an ideal tool to use for schools and adult education classes is also available. The classroom edition features the DVD of Sarah’s Story and a CD ROM of a unit plan suitable for middle school to high school.  The unit plan includes 5 lessons, handouts, writing assignments, and power point presentations.  For mail orders and additional information, contact amclaughin@christchurchphila.org.