Old First Reformed - Philadelphia, PA - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

An organization called Old Philadelphia Congregations has produced and erected a series of informational interpretives which tell about the history of some of Philadelphia's oldest congregations. This church is unique in that its congregants left for another church, this site becoming a paint factory, then, the original congregation came back.

Along the sidewalk in front of the church is this marker, part Old Philadelphia Congregations historical interpretive/marker, the other side, dedicated to this site. All the markers in front of the fifteen historic, religious sites feature the same sign of history (already mentioned in last sentence) on one side and the other, the history of the church the sign is in front. These tall, upright, markers can be found in front of almost every church or religious institution of consequence within Independence Hall National Historic Park. They are designed to aid in tourism and to encourage tourist to learn more about the history of Philadelphia and its designs for religious freedom. Each sign describes its church and explains how the church was part of the early fabric of religious freedom as well as the contributions each church made. The sign features a sketch of the 1772 church, designed by Robert Smith and a picture of the interior of church looking towards alter. This beautiful sign reads:

The Old First Reformed church, United Church of Christ, was organized in 1727 by the Rev. George Michael Weiss, who arrived in Philadelphia on the ship William and Sarah, along with about 400 persons from the German Palatinate. The first church, a hexagonal wooden building, was constructed on this site in 1747 on land deeded by Thomas Penn.

It was here that the Coetus of the German Reformed Church first met in 1747, making Old First one of the mother churches of the United Church of Christ. For 150 years this area was the center for the German community in Philadelphia.

The second building (1772) was designed by Robert Smith, the most prominent builder-architect in Colonial America, and was erected during the pastorate of Dr. Caspar Weyberg. Dr. Weyberg, a founder of Franklin and Marshall College and a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, preached to the Hessian soldiers during the British occupation of Philadelphia. He boldly asserted the justice of the patriot cause. As a result, the British threatened his life and threw him in prison. On September 17, 1777 the British occupied the new church, using it as a hospital and stable. The congregation moved to the adjacent schoolhouse. In 1828 the prominent revivalist Charles Finney preached a series of revivals in the church, then one of the largest auditoriums in the city.

The present church was erected in 1837, using timbers from the 1772 building. The pastors of Old First's large mid-19th century congregations were influential leaders in the German Reformed Church. John Bomberger, pastor from 1854 to 1870, became the first president of Ursinus College.

Changing neighborhoods led the congregation to move to North Philadelphia in 1882 and West Philadelphia in 1917. This building was sold to the Lukas Paint company and was used as a warehouse for 80 years. In 1967 the Old First congregation returned to this site and restored the building to its 1837 appearance.

Today, as in the past, the congregation is committed to a strong program of community service, and sees itself as a wellspring of faith for a diverse people in the heart of the city.

Group that erected the marker: Old Philadelphia Congregations URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Old First Reformed Church South Side of Race, East of 4th. Philadelphia, PA USA 19106

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   04/11/2022 lostcheq visited it