Churches in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's historic churches

No American city has more religious history embedded in its landscape:

• Christ Church, Old City — founded 1695; the mother church of American Anglicanism; George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and most of the Founding Fathers worshipped here; National Historic Landmark and active Episcopal parish.
• Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, South Street — founded by Richard Allen in 1794 on land he purchased himself; the birthplace of the AME Church, the oldest African American denomination in the world; National Historic Landmark; still an active congregation.
• Arch Street United Methodist Church — founded by Francis Asbury, the "father of American Methodism"; one of the largest Methodist churches in America in the 19th century; historic downtown landmark.
• Old St. Mary's Catholic Church — founded 1763; one of the oldest Catholic churches in America; site of the first public religious commemoration of American independence.
• Mikveh Israel Congregation — one of the oldest synagogues in America, with deep Quaker and colonial Philadelphia context.

Contemporary evangelical churches in Philadelphia

• Tenth Presbyterian Church, Center City — historic Presbyterian congregation; one of the most theologically influential evangelical churches in the Northeast; James Montgomery Boice's long pastorate (1968–2000) produced hundreds of expository sermon series still widely used; currently led with the same Reformed evangelical commitment.
• Church of the Saviour, Wayne (Main Line) — large evangelical church in the affluent western suburbs; strong programming and community life.
• Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, North Philadelphia — one of the largest African American Baptist churches in Philadelphia; under Alyn Waller, it has become one of the most dynamic Black evangelical congregations in the Northeast.
• Epiphany Fellowship Church, North Philadelphia — founded by Eric Mason; theologically Reformed; urban ministry focus; known for biblical preaching and community engagement in North Philly.
• Philadelphia Church of God — one of several large predominantly African American Pentecostal congregations.

Catholic Philadelphia

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has historically been one of the most significant Catholic jurisdictions in America — shaped by waves of Irish, Italian, Polish, and Eastern European Catholic immigration:

• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Logan Square — the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; massive Palladian building; one of the largest Catholic churches in the country
• National Shrine of St. John Neumann, North Philadelphia — resting place of the first American-born male canonized saint; active pilgrimage destination
• Historic ethnic parishes — Irish, Italian, Polish, and Ukrainian Catholic parishes throughout the city; many with beautiful historic architecture
• Growing Hispanic parishes — serving Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Mexican communities in North Philadelphia and West Philadelphia

Eastern Christianity in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Eastern European Catholic and Orthodox communities are among the most visible in any American city:

• Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — headquarters of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Philadelphia
• Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. George, South Philadelphia
• Russian Orthodox and Serbian Orthodox parishes
• Antiochian Orthodox presence serving both Arab American communities and converts

Frequently asked questions

Is Philadelphia a religious city today?

Philadelphia's religious participation has declined significantly from its historic heights, and the city has some of the characteristics of post-Christian urban centers. But the African American church tradition remains strong and institutionally vital, the Catholic archdiocese maintains a significant institutional presence, and church planting in gentrifying neighborhoods (Fishtown, Kensington, Brewerytown) has produced vibrant new congregations in the past decade.