We are one of the oldest, continuously-worshipping churches in the country.
Our more than 325-year-old history took root as a non-denominational church for the local Whitemarsh community. Today we are an Episcopal church, but St. Thomas’ continues to thrive as a living representation of God’s faithfulness and the commitment of generations of Christians to worship God and serve our neighbors.
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Church
In 1683, William Penn granted 5,000 acres of land to Major Jasper Farmer. This area is roughly the boundaries of present-day Whitemarsh Township. Although Major Farmer was unable to settle in Pennsylvania, his son Edward did and donated one acre of ground for a log church in 1698. The log church was deliberately burned in 1710 to be replaced by a small but sturdy stone church.
This second church had no pews—worshipers stood during services. For the next 107 years, it was known simply as “the little Church at White Marsh” and served as a union church of various Christian denominations. The church and graveyard suffered extensive damage following the Battle of Germantown as the Americans fought their way to Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.
Because of the damage, it was decided to build a newer, larger church. The third church was consecrated by Episcopal Bishop William White and given the official name of St. Thomas’ Church in 1818. Fifty years of gradually declining membership followed, but the Sheaff family helped the church survive. Ellen Sheaff had a schoolhouse built in 1853, and her brother John supervised the early stages of construction of the present church. The fourth building for St. Thomas’ Church was consecrated in 1881 and appears largely the same today. The narthex and balcony additions in 1964 gave a new, three-door entry and additional seating. In 2009, a labyrinth was constructed near the church, giving those who walk it an opportunity for meditation and contemplation.
The cemetery and memorial gardens make up more than half of 42 acres of grounds and have their own impressive histories.
The Little Church at Whitemarsh
St. Thomas’ third church
Ground plan for the fourth church
Church Hill Hall, 1871
Vestry meeting minutes, 1788
Choir, circa early 1900s
“Our roots are as a community church. We’re a house of prayer for all people wherever they are on their journey. It’s a place where you can belong and feel valued for being who you are, where you can feel truly welcome. We want you to feel that warmth and flourish in all aspects of your life.”
—The Rev. David Killeen, Rector of St. Thomas’
Cemetery
The St. Thomas’ Cemetery is one of the oldest church burial grounds in the county, with memorials dating back to the early-eighteenth century. The cemetery, made up of approximately 3500 graves, covers more than 20 acres and is adjacent to many campus buildings. A beautiful Memorial Garden sits adjacent to the south façade of the church building, and a Peace Garden is also located on the south side of the church building to provide respite for visitors.
A historic Receiving Vault is located near the Church Office. The vault was used to hold coffins in the days when frozen ground prevented hand-digging graves.
Information on the purchase of lots, niches, or a space in the Inurnment Garden and Memorial Garden can be obtained by contacting the church office.
Notable Individuals Buried in our Cemetery
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm (1866–1960):
Hymnwriter and poet, wrote over 1,200 works including “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Frances Willing Lockwood Wharton (1869–1966):
Magazine writer from the Wharton family
Francis Beverly Biddle (1886–1968):
U.S. Attorney General during World War II
Joseph Sill Clark, Jr. (1901–1990):
U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and Mayor of Philadelphia
Fitz Eugene Dixon, Jr. (1923–2006):
Former owner of the 76ers, Phillies, Flyers, and Wings
Morton Fetterolf, Jr. (1912–1997):
Pennsylvania State Representative and State Senator
Courtlandt Sherrington Gross (1904–1982):
Aviation pioneer and Lockheed Martin executive
Lawrence Johnson (1801–1860):
Printing stereotyper and type-founder
Frank Abercrombie (Francis Patterson Abercrombie) (1850–1939):
First-known Oklahoman in Major League Baseball
Franklin Delton Turner (1933–2013):
First African-American bishop consecrated in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Margo Dolan (1946–2025):
Co-recipient of the 2017 RHA Gold Medal with husband Peter Maxwell
Peter Maxwell (1942–2016):
Artist, editor, art director, and designer
Julia Rush Biddle (1886–1978):
A stylish "grande dame" of Philadelphia society, she was named to the Fashion Hall of Fame in 1964
Alice Welsh Strawbridge (1848–1925):
Wife of George Strawbridge and daughter of John Welsh, a former minister to England
Louisa (Weightman) Strawbridge (1880–1921)
Barbara Ward Perry Strawbridge (1917–1949)
Veterans Buried in our Cemetery
Revolutionary War Veterans
12 Identified, 2 Unknown
Jacob Acuff · Bernard Bisbing · John Brant · Edward Burk · Peter Clever · Christian Dunnet · William Hicks · Christopher Loesser · Andrew Redheifer · John Shay · Edward Wells · David White
Mexican-American War
Joseph Cleaver · Henry Lower
Civil War
George E. Lowery · William Platt, Jr. · Louis Whitcomb · Howard Robeson
World War I
Cora Hypes Platt, Army Nurse Corps
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