Great church, solid teach, very friendly. This is a church of just regular folks worshiping and…read moreserving Jesus. You will receive a warm welcome, heart-felt worship, and solid Biblical teaching.

Are you Swedish? It seemed initially like a rather odd first thing to say to someone but that's…read moreexactly how our experience began during our visit to Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church . To answer the question, I'm about as Swedish as a certain famous chef (Bork! Bork!) but seeing as this church was founded by people of Swedish descent it's not really all that odd of a question. This church my friends is indeed the oldest continuously operating church in our fine republic. * Are there older church buildings? Yes * Are there older congregations? Yes But, all the rest are either no longer actively used as a church or they are on their second, third or fourth building. The building here was finished in 1698, was dedicated on July 4th, 1699 and is still an active church to this day. The church and it's location are thanks to Erik Bjork who was the pastor at Holy Trinity from 1697 until 1713. This church was not the first in the area for the congregation but Bjork knew that they had to move away from wood and use stone for a new building just like they had to move to higher ground away from the Christina River. A few fun facts about the building: * Early parishioners donated the planks and logs for the black-walnut pulpit that is considered the oldest pulpit known pulpit in the United States which still stands in its original location. * The altar is also from black walnut with paneling that echoes the design of the pulpit. It is at least the third altar at Old Swedes. * The pews are reproductions of the originals and were built in 1899 using patterns and descriptions from early church records. The pews could be closed to keep out drafts in winter; worshippers often brought heated rocks or pans of hot coals into their pews to keep themselves warm. * The bell tower was a more "modern" addition to the church as it was added on in 1802. * Stained glass from Tiffany was added in the 19th century. * The original church chest from 1713 is also in the church and can be seen on the tour. If you go: Admission prices are adults $5.00, children 6 through 12: $2.00 and children 5 & under: Free Tour times are January & February by appointment only and the rest of the year there are times from Wednesday-Saturday ranging from 10am-4pm based on when you come with the last tour starting at 3:30pm. The tour starts in the Hendrickson House which is a 1 1/2 story field stone farmhouse was built in 1690 by Andrew Hendrickson along the banks of the Delaware River in Chester Pennsylvania. It was scheduled to be demolished but was disassembled, moved and the reassembled in its current location in 1958. The church's archives/research library are located in a climate controlled basement below the house and can be seen by appointment Wednesday-Friday or during regular tour hours on Saturday. During the tour you are also shown parts of the Hendrickson House, then the burial grounds outside which predates the current church with the first burials occurring in 1638 and the oldest currently legible burial stone being from 1712. The one neat thing is that on the tour they very eagerly let you ring the bell in their 1802 bell tower. I think the guide said the bell is from the same foundry in London that the Liberty Bell came from but I could be wrong. Parking is limited as they have a very small cobblestone parking lot next to Hendrickson House that holds a few cars then it's on street parking. As an FYI, the area around the church is F-ing sketch. But don't let the ghetto aspect of the church's location deter you as the volunteers are great and the building and grounds are oozing with so much history and authenticity that it truly is a must visit.

Fascinating tour of the church, the home on site and the cemetery. The guide shared not only facts…read moreabout the church and home, but about the people who built the church, were members and were buried there. AND the history of the faiths that were practiced there. Both the church and the cemetery are beautiful and peaceful. The addition of the home as the visitor entry is genius - preserving a piece of history and sharing it too.

I was recently married at de Sales and it is one of the most beautiful parishes in the City. It is…read morelarge and has a huge dome like the old fashion churches do. It also has an organ and the sound is magnificent in the building. Father Eric was great every step of the way. I can't recommend this place enough for anyone looking to get married in a church in Philly.

My wife and I married each other at SFdS in 2019. What can I say, the space is beautiful, the organ…read moresublime, and the liturgy reverent. The parish made me feel really at home for the wedding liturgy giving me the help I needed to plan a wedding Mass. Saying my vows with the mosaic of Christ, offering our bouquet to before the statue of Mary, and exciting to the stirring sound of the organ. This is *the* place for a Catholic wedding in Philadelphia!

I am totally in love with this Church. Easter Sunday was absolutely…read morebeautiful from the smell of flowers and the music with the massive pipe organ and amazing choir was just heavenly. After mass there was a wonderful and welcoming Easter Feast which was filling and relaxing. If you are looking for a place to CALL HOME, THIS IS IT. Father Alton (Rector) visited each and every table with engaging conversations as well as most parishioners. Lovely Lovely place of worship. I am hooked

I have never been to a service so to be clear my review is solely based on my concert going…read moreexperiences at St. Clements Episcopal Church. This is a beautiful and generally welcoming church, the sanctuary it striking. I had one negative experience today with a overzealous parishioner cutting people off from entering the sanctuary before giving her a credit card or going to the desk to make a donation. Well tonight is 'pay as you wish' and some people wish they could make a donation but can't! In my case I seat my 79 year old handicapped mother before I do anything! This chick blocked the entrance better than Philadelphia Eagles Jason Peters for Carson Wentz/Nick Foles. She jumped in front of us and ushered us to the 'cashier'. I know to donate but this could be very intimidating and off putting to someone who could not comply and later I pulled her to the side to tell her as much. But I made my donation and still enjoyed the most wonderful concert, Bach@7, Joy and Peace from the Bach Festival. One negative experience will not keep me from Gods house and blessings I receive visiting St. Clements Episcopal Church. I will return over and over again. Next time with my donation in hand for the concert police to see in full view!

I had my wedding here in May 2018. Our parish in Rittenhouse did not allow for Friday weddings, but…read moreI'm very grateful that we ended up at St. Augustine! The church itself is beautiful, with lots of intricate details, and rich history. Their wedding coordinator Jean is super warm, calm, well-organized, and welcoming. They have a byo-Priest policy which worked out nicely for us because my childhood parish priest was able to officiate. They also offer a quarterly "wedding music open house" where their organist, singers, violinsts, etc. play some of the liturgical music options. That was a pleasure to attend with my mom and fiance and a nice way to keep the focus on the ceremony in the midst of all the other wedding-planning-details. We were able to choose songs we loved and Chesley from their music department was super organized and easy to communicate with (plus a great singer!).

This is a beautiful little church. The first thing that I noticed was the vestibule area you go…read morethrough before you enter the main area where services are held. Marble statues and paneling on each side! This church got my interest because of a scene from a movie that filmed there 18 years ago - "The Sixth Sense". The church is much more beautiful in reality than in the film.

Attended 9:30 Sunday Mass while traveling. The parish has been combined with St. Peter the Apostle,…read moreand the parish office is at that parish. The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace is the statue in the photos, and the prayer garden, which is visible from I-295 and the Bridge. The exit is New Castle Ave. There are benchs and it is an outdoor area for quiet reflection and prayer. There are also outdoor stations of the cross around the statue. Unfortunately the websites don't seem to be up to date, at least the links I found. Check the latest bulletin on the parish website as the best source of schedules and information. For GPS use the address 6 Church Drive, New Castle

Beautiful Orthodox Church with a friendly congregation. Their Easter service was phenomenal. Weeks…read more later the church is still beautiful, at least from my vantage point outside, religiously decorated for Easter. They have Many social events throughout the year including an international tea, a food festival and their ongoing home made perogie sales.

On our way for a baby shower . I look forward to seeing this…read morebeautiful cathedral and reading about the history on it. Our friends are members of this house of God. I will be back with pictures.

We stopped in on our next to last trip to Philly, and I'm really glad we did…read more (I'm not religious AT ALL, and my traveling buddies were evangelical Christians. Kinda odd, but there ya have it.) The priest was very friendly, and invited us to stay for the next Divine Liturgy. (We'd gone in just prior to Vespers.) The iconostasis was odd to me, as it had been "written" (painted) in the Western style, not the Byzantine. Very pretty all the same. Yeah -- I'm that weird atheist who loves stopping in different churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras, etc. (It's kinda fun to see how "the other half lives," and I'm a total sucker for relative silence, incense, and a little pomp now and again.)