Situated in the Fishtown/Old City area, St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church is a fine example of 19th‑century ecclesiastical architecture in Philadelphia, showcasing a distinguished Romanesque Revival design. Designed by Joseph Koecker and rebuilt in 1897, the church features a massive 230‑foot spire that once dominated the city skyline, and it hides the resting place of a giant of the American Catholic Church.
Candlelight at St. Peter the Apostle is set to transform the church’s beautiful nave into a live music sanctuary, welcoming tributes to music’s greatest artists, including Fleetwood Mac.
Background on St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church
In the 1840s, Philadelphia’s growing German Catholic population got too big for Holy Trinity Church at 6th so Redemptorists were invited to minister German-speaking immigrants and they even bought a land together to found the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle. To this day, they continue their work at St. Peter’s, serving the community that first called them there.
Beneath the church, you’ll find the shrine of St. John Neumann, the only shrine in the U.S. dedicated to a male American saint. His altar rests atop a glass case containing a man’s remains, which are garbed in a wax mask and dressed in bishop’s garb. The shrine has attracted both believers and tourists from all over the world, as well as His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II. During his tour of Philadelphia in 1977, he also visited the church, praying before the tomb of St. John Neumann and addressed the people of St. Peter the Apostle in English and Spanish.
What can you do at St. Peter the Apostle?
St. Peter the Apostle in Philadelphia offers daily service, with a special Spanish sermon on Sundays at 11:00 am. Besides worship, it also serves as a Candlelight venue for atmospheric live music concerts that celebrate renowned composers and contemporary icons. During these performances, the renowned church is lit up by thousands of flickering candles, lending a new glow to one of the Oldest Redemptorist Parishes.
Where is St. Peter the Apostle church and how to get there?
St. Peter the Apostle is situated in the Northern Liberties/Fishtown area of Philly, at 1019 N 5th Street. The nearest transit stop is Girard Ave & 5th St, about a 2‑minute walk from the church. If you’re getting there by car, the church has its own parking lots at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann / St. Peter the Apostle complex.
Nearby venues in Philadelphia
Well‑known historic, cultural, or architectural sites are only a short drive away, such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (within a 10–15 minute drive).
If you’re visiting the church to attend a Candlelight concert, these performances take place in the evening, at 6:30pm or 8:45pm. To make a whole night out of it, El Vez, Buddakan, The Dandelion and Malooga are all well‑reviewed restaurants near St. Peter the Apostle you can reach quickly after the show. Additionally, you can find these tributes at other unique venues in Philly renowned for their architecture and acoustics.
