Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Burial records]]> Cemeteries]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Oaths]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church of England]]> Religious leaders]]> Church management]]> British colonies]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church management]]> Church finance]]> Church of England]]>
Jenney wrote this letter "to the Subscribers for erecting a new Church in Philadelphia" in 1753. As the population of Philadelphia grew, Christ Church no longer had enough room, and as a result, some members wanted to build a new church. While Jenney approved of the goal to accommodate more congregants, he was concerned about the approach, and strongly believed that the new church should remain part of one congregation with Christ Church, led by the same vestry, with a minister licensed by the Bishop of London. As long as they followed the "established rules" of erecting new churches, he was willing to assist them however he could.

In 1758 the vestry of Christ Church authorized the construction of a new chapel at Third & Pine Streets to accommodate its members living in the southern section of the city. St. Peter's Church, located at the corner of Third & Pine Streets, and Christ Church shared the same vestry, ministers, and records and until they formally separated in 1832, and were known as the United Churches of Christ Church & St. Peter's.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Duche, Jacob, 1737-1798]]> Poor]]> Charity]]> Church finance]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]>
The first letter, dated September 31, 1771, is from Rector Peters and Assistant Minister Jacob Duche to the Bishop of Cork, regarding a relation of the bishop who is a member of their congregation. She traveled to Philadelphia with her husband, who drowned two years previously, and fell on hard times. Peters and Duche request financial assistance on behalf of the widow, so she can set up a shop and support herself.

The second letter, dated June 28, 1771, is to the Reverend Doctor Peters from
Robert Smith, regarding the purchase of a lot of land from the church.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Marriage records]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]>
A note on the inside front cover from Rector B. Dorr adds to the record five marriages from 1836 and one from 1839, which were recorded in a private record but left out of previous official registers.

(This register contains records dating up to 1979, but was only scanned through 1870, per the terms of grant funding.)]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Cemeteries]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Burial records]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Burial records]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Cemeteries]]> Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790]]> Episcopalians]]> Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813]]> Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791]]> Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779]]> Ross, George, 1730-1779]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Baptismal records]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Cemeteries]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Baptismal records]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Cemeteries]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Baptismal records]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Cemeteries]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Baptismal records]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]> Episcopalians]]> Church finance]]> Protestants]]> Anne, Queen of Great Britain, 1665-1714]]> Clergy]]> Church schools]]> Tobacco]]> Taxation]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> "Charts]]> diagrams]]> etc."]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Hodge, G. Woolsey, 1845-1929]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> Church management]]> Church committees]]> Episcopalians]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Hospitals]]> Corporate minutes]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]>
As in preceding minute books, topics include the election of church leaders and hiring and payment of staff; appointments to and reports from various church committees; the upkeep of buildings and grounds; the ongoing balancing of financial accounts including ground rents, loans, investments and bequests; the collection of pew rents; and management of the Sunday school and hospital.

Other topics specific to this book include the Rev. Dr. Dorr's declining health and eventual death; the conflict between Rev. Edward Foggo, Rector of Christ Church, and Rev. Woolsey Hodge, minister in charge of the the Christ Church Chapel; and the management of Calvary Church (also known as the Monument to Bishop White.)

The pages tucked into the front of the book are likely attendance records. An index of subjects begins on image 576.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Corporate minutes]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Charity]]> Poor]]> Church schools]]> Hospitals]]> Church committees]]> Church management]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The meeting minutes from the Spring of 1865 refer to the death of President Abraham Lincoln. The vestry of Christ Church elected to drape the church in black for a period of three months and muffle the church bells to mourn the death of the president.

A copy of the charter separating Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in 1832 is also included in this volume. Note: Blank pages were not scanned.]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Church management]]> Church bells]]> Church buildings]]> Church committees]]> Church fund raising]]> Episcopalians]]> Cemeteries]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Hospitals]]> Charity]]> Poor]]> Episcopal Church. Diocese of Pennsylvania]]> Episcopal Church]]>
Annotated copies of Christ Church's charter and by-laws are inserted in the beginning of the volume, entitled "Charter of Christ Church in the city of Philadelphia and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia, As established by an Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, passed January, 1832; together with the proceedings of the respective vestries thereupon." These documents reflect the separation of Christ Church and St. Peter's in 1832.]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Corporate minutes]]> Episcopalians]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Church management]]> Hospitals]]> Poor]]> Charity]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Episcopal Church]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Corporate minutes]]> Church management]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Episcopalians]]> Hospitals]]> Episcopal Church]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> American Revolution (1775-1783)]]> Church buildings]]> Church committees]]> Church discipline]]> Church fund raising]]> Church management]]> Church of England]]> American Revolution (United States : 1775-1783)]]> Corporate minutes]]> Episcopalians]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Frontier and pioneer life]]> Indians of North America]]> Charters]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Poor]]> Charity]]> African Americans]]> Kearsley, John, 1684-1772]]> Episcopal Church]]>
Other important events and topics include:

The opening of St. Peter's and the establishment of the United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's in 1761, with shared government and finances. Minutes include draft and final versions of the charter for the United Churches.

The response of the United Churches to the 1763 "Indian invasion" of the "back provinces" of Pennsylvania and subsequent correspondence with church officials from York and Cumberland Counties on behalf of "families on the frontier."

The 1763 review and approval of Reverend William Sturgeon's fulfillment of his duty as the "Catechist to the Negroe Children for the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts."

The 1772 bequest from Dr. John Kearsley that funded the development of the Christ Church Hospital for poor women and widows.

The American Revolution. Minutes from the Vestry meeting of July 4, 1776, when the Vestry resolved at the onset of the American Revolution: "Whereas the Honorable Continental Congress have resolved to declare the American Colonies to be free and independent States, In consequence of which it will be proper to omit those Petitions in the Liturgy wherein the King of Great Britain is prayed for, as inconsistent with the said Declaration. Therefore Resolved, that it appears to this Vestry to be necessary for the peace and well-being of the Churches to omit the said Petitions, and the Rector and Assistant Ministers of the United Churches are requested in the Name of the Vestry and their Constituents to omit such petitions as are above mentioned." (p. 338)

Subsequent minutes reveal effects of the war, including the loss of pew rents after many parishioners fled the city during the British occupation, the damage to church property caused by the British army, and the departure of Reverend Coombe, who could not tolerate the conflict of serving revolutionary subjects while ordained and governed by the Church of England.]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Parish elections]]> Church records and registers]]> Church finance]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church management]]> Church fund raising]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church of England]]> Episcopalians]]> Corporate minutes]]> Episcopal Church]]>
Note: Page 92 was blank and was not scanned.]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Duche, Jacob, 1737-1798]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Washington, George, 1732-1799]]> Washington, George, 1732-1799]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Episcopal Church]]> Episcopalians]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Letters]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Voyages and travels]]> American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Steamboats]]>
Dorr traveled extensively throughout his life. This manuscript was copied from one loaned to a Dr. Hedrick in 1941 or 1942, and contains Dorr's notes about his many travels through the United States from 1819 to 1864. He often traveled through New England, but also visited the mid-Atlantic states, and even ventured into the deep South and as far West as the Green Bay area, stopping in Detroit and Chicago. He traveled by steamboat, stagecoach and horse; stayed with family and friends; dined with persons prominent in the military, church, politics and local businesses; and visited museums, hospitals, libraries, colleges, factories and local historical landmarks. He would sometimes preach and collect money for missionary work. The last entry details his visit to the Army of the Potomac in 1864.]]> Diaries]]> ]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Voyages and travels]]> American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Steamboats]]>
Dorr traveled extensively throughout his life. This handwritten manuscript contains Dorr's notes about his many travels through the United States from 1819 to 1864. He often traveled through New England, but also visited the mid-Atlantic states, and even ventured into the deep South and as far West as the Green Bay area, stopping in Detroit and Chicago. He traveled by steamboat, stagecoach and horse; stayed with family and friends; dined with persons prominent in the military, church, politics and local businesses; and visited museums, hospitals, libraries, colleges, factories and local historical landmarks. He would sometimes preach and collect money for missionary work. The last entry details his visit to the Army of the Potomac in 1864.

A typewritten transcript of this manuscript has also been scanned for this project.]]> Manuscripts]]> Diaries]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Deeds]]> Episcopalians]]> Church history]]> Church property]]> Episcopal Church]]>
Two copies likewise of the 1702 deed by which Jones extinguished the ground rent, for the consideration of 150 pounds, and clarifying that Carpenter's name was used by "special nomination and appointment" of the community of Christ Church, and that the lot is to be used for the perpetual public worship of God, in the Christian religion as practiced by the Church of England.]]> Manuscripts]]> Deeds]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]> Episcopalians]]> Anthems]]> Choral music]]> Church music]]> Sheet music]]> Manuscripts]]> Songbooks]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]>