We began our day with an African Methodist Faith Encounter and a visit to the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. We learned about the founding and evolution of Mother Bethel AME Church and about the founder Richard Allen. We learned about his background and his contributions to the African American community. From there we ventured in the pouring rain to learn about the Liberty Bell. Afterwards, we continued on our journey to the Bourse building, where we delightfully indulged in some fantastic food.
From the Bourse, the adventure continued to Christ Church for an Episcopal Faith Encounter. We toured Old City’s Christ Church and Christ Church Burial Ground while learning about the history and traditions of “the Nation’s Church.” Here we also learned about the connection the church had to the American Revolution. Some students were seated where iconic figures, such as William Penn’s family and Benjamin Franklin used to sit. A fellow student, known as Anthony, sat where Benjamin Franklin worshiped.
As students of a Quaker School, it was interesting to visit Arch Street Meeting House. We learned about William Penn’s Holy Experiment and the Quaker faith. The sacred space carries the Quaker ideals of simplicity, plainness, and equality. The Arch Street Meeting House was designed in 1803-04 by a Quaker named Owen Biddle, Jr. The meetinghouse is an example of the Georgian architectural style and it incorporates a simple or plain Quaker design.
The day concluded with a Jewish Faith Encounter. We learned about the history of Congregation Mikveh Israel, which dates back to the 18th century. Congregation Mikveh Israel, “The Hope of Israel,” was founded in 1740 and is an unparalleled American Jewish Institution. It has a two-fold tradition that is the synthesis of the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish ritual and the ongoing development of the American Jewish community.
Despite the heavy rain, we enjoyed our various faith encounters, and we are eager for more adventures tomorrow!
-Amanda and Anthony
