Lancaster, Pennsylvania America has had a long tradition of idealistic religious groups attempting to establish Christian utopian communities, a tradition which goes back to the Puritans of 17th century Massachusetts. Most such communities have ended in obscurity or even disaster, though a few have been successful. In the end, virtually all of those that survived have … [Read more...]
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Wilmington, Delaware The Holy Trinity Church of Wilmington, also known as the Old Swedes Church, is the oldest Lutheran-built church still standing in the United States. It may well also be the oldest American church in continuous use, or at least may be the oldest church still used as a church. Although acquired by the Episcopal denomination in the late 18th century, it … [Read more...]
OLD INDIAN MEETING HOUSE
Mashpee, Massachusetts The Old Indian Meeting House is the oldest Native American Christian Church in the United States, as well as one of the oldest churches in America still in use. Constructed for the use of the Wampanoag tribe in the 17th century, it was not only the first center of Native American Christianity but also, sadly, the center around which the Wampanoag … [Read more...]
THIRD HAVEN MEETING HOUSE
Talbot, Maryland The Third Haven Meeting House was one of the first meeting houses of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, to be built in America, and the oldest to survive. It is also the oldest church in Maryland, and one of the oldest churches in continuous use in the United States. Despite several substantial renovations, large portions of the original meeting … [Read more...]
FIRST BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE
Providence, Rhode Island The First Baptist Meeting House, also known as the First Baptist Church of Providence, is both the oldest Baptist church in the United States and the oldest Baptist congregation. Founded by Roger Williams, the famous religious leader in exile from Puritan Massachusetts, this was America’s first truly home-grown church and therefore. The First … [Read more...]
PRINCETON CEMETERY
Princeton, New Jersey Princeton Cemetery is one of America’s most famous burial grounds, the resting place of presidents and high governmental officials, generals, scientists, the rich and famous, and a good number of America’s most prominent early religious leaders and theologians. Among the more famous are Aaron Burr Sr., father of the third Vice President, and John … [Read more...]
FAIRFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Fairton, New Jersey The Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Fairton, New Jersey is one of the most historic Presbyterian churches in the United States. Although not the first Presbyterian congregation in America, it predates the American Revolution and is the oldest Presbyterian church in use in the United States, ranking it among the other important early Reformed churches in … [Read more...]
MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
New York, New York Marble Collegiate Church, formally known as Fifth Avenue Church, is one of America’s most historic churches. A remnant of the old Dutch Reformed Church, the congregation of Marble Collegiate is one of the oldest continually active in the country. In recent years it was made famous as the home church of Norman Vincent Peale, one of the most popular and … [Read more...]
EVANGELICAL SITES OF NASHVILLE
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee has an interesting niche in American Evangelical Christianity. Although not a religiously historic city, it is nevertheless home to not one, but two of America’s most famous Christian institutions: The Gideons International, and the Southern Baptist Convention. The first organization is world famous for its mission to spread the … [Read more...]
BARRATT’S CHAPEL
Frederica, Delaware Barratt’s Chapel is the oldest Methodist Church still in use in the United States. Although Methodism was introduced to America first in Georgia by John Wesley, some refer to Barratt’s Chapel as the Cradle of Methodism, in part because of its age but also in part due to post-Revolutionary events that transpired there. It was built and named by and after … [Read more...]
