Photograph courtesy of Roger Thorne
The Church of Saint Peter's in the Great Valley lies at the crest of the highest hill within the middle of the Great Valley. To the north is the lofty barrier ridge shutting off the Valley from the Schuylkill River, its steep hills divided east of the parish where Valley Stream breaks through at Valley Forge. Two miles south of St. Peter's another high wooded ridge provides the opposing perimeter of the Valley. From the elevated vantage point of the churchyard it was once described that "one could see rolling country east and west for many miles to either horizon".
An original log chapel was built between 1711-1715 within an already existing burying ground. It was common to build a place of worship on ground already used as a burial place. The earliest gravestone in the churchyard, long since disappeared, bore the date 1703. Many stones, some almost as old, still remain.
The foundation for the permanent structure was laid in 1728. Named the Church of St. Peter, the stone church building was completed in 1744. The original construction forms the earliest part of today's church building. From the original deed, granted by the landowner Methusaleh Davis to the parish in 1745, the purpose of the parish is "for use of members of the Church of England to perform Divine Services in and a place to bury their dead".
Much development has occurred in the Great Valley since those early times, but the somewhat remote location of Saint Peter's Church has allowed this holy place to retain much of its tranquil beauty. Click on each thumbnail photo below to create a larger image as you enjoy a feast for your eyes:
We welcome you to visit our vibrant Episcopal parish, still found in a country setting “a little off the beaten track”. We are located just north of Paoli, Pennsylvania, 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, and 3 miles west of Valley Forge National Park. Click here for directions. And know that you will be shown God's love when you visit.