African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Site #1

Neighborhood:Center City

Address:
5th St. and St. James St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Significance:
This is the first home of the important, early African American congregation, founded by Absalom Jones. According to Cooperman, the congregation's building was dedicated in 1794. After the congregation moved from the southwest corner of 5th and St. James Streets to 12th and Spruce Streets (see entry) in 1890, the property switched to industrial use. The site is currently home to the St. James Court residential development.

Type of Historic Resource:church

Date Built / Architect:ca. 1794

Extant: no

Historical Marker:PA Historical Marker (1984; 5th St. south of St. James Place)

Text of Historical Marker:
Organized in 1792 as an outgrowth of the Free African Society, formed 1787. The original church edifice stood here. Under the ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones (1746-1818), a former slave, this became the nation's first Black Episcopal church.