Church of the Advocate facts for kids
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George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church of the Advocate
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 18th & Diamond Sts. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | Charles Marquedant Burns; Arthur H. Williams & Sons |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003620 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 8, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | June 19, 1996 |
The George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate is a very old and important church. You can find it at 18th and Diamond Street in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It is also known as the George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church. This church is famous for its beautiful design and its special place in American history.
Contents
A Church with a Story
This church was built between 1887 and 1897. It was created to honor a respected merchant and community leader named George W. South. The church was designed by Charles Marquedant Burns, a well-known architect from that time. It was originally planned to be the main Episcopal Cathedral for Philadelphia.
A Historic Moment for Women
On July 29, 1974, something very important happened here. The church was the site where the Philadelphia Eleven were ordained. These were the first women to become priests in the Episcopal Church. This event was a big step forward for women in religious leadership.
Murals of American History
Inside the church, you can see a series of 14 amazing murals. These paintings show different moments from the Black experience in America. They include scenes of slavery, the end of slavery, and important parts of the Civil Rights Movement.
The murals were painted between 1973 and 1976. Two Philadelphia artists, Walter Edmonds and Richard J. Watson, created them. You can find most of these murals in the church's transepts and aisles.
Why the Murals Were Painted
Father Washington asked for these murals to be painted. Many Black members of the church felt that their experiences were not shown or celebrated enough. This was despite the fact that most of the community around the church was African-American. The murals were a way to honor and validate their history.
Different Artistic Styles
Each of the fourteen murals was painted by either Edmonds or Watson. They each had a very different way of painting. Edmonds often used bright, fiery colors like orange and yellow. His paintings show the difficult struggles and oppression faced by Black people in America.
Watson, on the other hand, used cooler colors in his paintings. His art expresses sadness and the importance of remembering this history. He believed that remembering the past helps people find courage for the future.
A Recognized Landmark
The Church of the Advocate is a very important building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Later, on June 19, 1996, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
This special recognition was given for a few reasons. The church is considered one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. It also has a complete set of beautiful stained glass windows made by a famous English company called Clayton & Bell. The church was also recognized for its ongoing work in supporting African American civil rights.
See also
- Barbara Clementine Harris
- Paul Washington
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
- National Register of Historic Places listings in North Philadelphia
