St. John's Church, Philadelphia

St. John's Church features a wooden steeple that rises prominently above its entrance and sits on a substantial lot on Brown Street in Northern Liberties. The building displays the straightforward architectural style typical of early American churches, with clean lines and a traditional layout.

The church was completed in 1815 under the design of architect William Strickland, making it one of his earliest works. It ranks among the oldest surviving church buildings in Pennsylvania and represents the architectural direction of its era.

Built for an Episcopalian congregation, the church now serves as a Romanian Orthodox house of worship that reflects how Philadelphia's religious communities have transformed. Visitors can see how a single building has adapted to serve different traditions and beliefs over time.

The church is located in Northern Liberties, a neighborhood well served by public transportation near Brown Street. Visitors will find the site easy to reach in an accessible urban area with other historic sites nearby.

William Strickland, who designed this church, went on to create the Second Bank of the United States, another prominent Philadelphia landmark. The building therefore marks the beginning of an architectural career that would produce some of the city's most recognized structures.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1815

GPS coordinates: 39.96278,-75.14250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27