Statue of George Whitefield, Bronze memorial statue at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
The Statue of George Whitefield is a bronze figure depicting the Anglican minister in a preaching pose, holding a Bible in one hand while raising the other skyward. The work sits on a limestone base inscribed with information about Whitefield's education and his influence as a preacher.
Sculptor R. Tait McKenzie created this work in 1919 to honor the influential minister. The statue was removed in 2020 from its original location in the Dormitory Quadrangle at the University of Pennsylvania.
The monument commemorated George Whitefield, an Anglican minister who influenced American religious life through his outdoor revival meetings during the Great Awakening of 1740.
The memorial was originally displayed on the university campus where it was easily accessible to pedestrians. Visitors should note that the current location and accessibility may have changed, so it makes sense to gather information about the exact site beforehand.
Benjamin Franklin chose Whitefield's meetinghouse as the location for the Academy of Philadelphia, founded in 1749, which later became the University of Pennsylvania. This connection reveals how closely religious and educational development were intertwined in early American history.
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