St. Peter's Church

Cordelia Frances Biddle is the author of the historical novels: The Conjurer, Deception’s Daughter, Without Fear, andBeneath the Wind. She is a direct descendant of Nicholas Biddle.Elizabeth S. Browne, a tour guide, tour writer and designer and guide trainer, is a long-time member of St. Peter's Church.Alan J. Heavens is a veteran newspaper columnist and editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is the author of What No One Ever Tells You About Renovating Your Home and Remodeling on the Money.Charles P. Peitz is a freelance editor formerly with The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Wall Street Journal.

• IntroductionForeword by (The Rev.) Ledie I. Laughlin, 20th Rector, St. Peter's ChurchSection 1: 1761-1836Chapter 1: Let the Building SpeakChapter 2: The Sacred Cause of LibertyChapter 3: A St. Peter's ContinuumSection 2: 1836-1865Chapter 4: The Churches DisunitedChapter 5: The Building EvolvesChapter 6: The Industrial City: 1836-1845Chapter 7: St. Peter's and the Oxford MovementChapter 8: Civil War Divides the CitySection 3: 1865-1911Chapter 9: St. Peter's Reaches OutChapter 10: From a Side Pew: Meditiations on the "Saints"Chapter 11: The Jewish Mission: Rev. Andrew WeinsteinSection 4: 1911-PresentChapter 12: "...No longer a Wealthy Parish"Chapter 13: The Choir School: The Gilbert YearsChapter 14: 1950-1962: Transition and RenewalChapter 15: The '70s and Beyond: Behold, I Make All Things New...Section 5: The People of St. Peter'sChapter 16: The ChurchyardChapter 17: The Rectors of St. Peter's ChurchChapter 18: Members of the CongregationChapter 19: "A House of Prayer for All People"

"This is the most beautifully presented church history I have ever seen. The author team skillfully weaves together many strands of a venerable Philadelphia church: the architectural history of St. Peter's; the troubled times that divided the church during the American Revolution and Civil War; the outreach mission efforts, mostly by female parishioners, when the church was surrounded by the struggling poor of the late nineteenth century; and the stirring rebirth of the church in recent decades after it almost closed its doors. Utterly frank in discussing the church's low points as well as high points, it is a fascinating exploration of one of Philadelphia's treasures."-Gary B. Nash, Professor of History Emeritus and Director, National Center for History in the Schools, UCLA