ly Colonial in external appearance, and frankly so in
the detail of its wood trim, the arrangement of the structure and its
proportions, especially the peaked gable over the entrance and the
small, low and square wooden belfry, give it a somewhat foreign aspect
which is by no means surprising in the circumstances. Indeed, it may be
said to have decided Norse suggestion. The interior, with its severely
simple galleries, straight-backed wooden pews and high pulpit under the
chancel window, has that quaintness to be seen in the earliest country
churches of America. Two big-eyed, winged cherubim on the organ loft are
interesting examples of early Swedish wood carving probably taken from
an old Swedish ship.

St. Peter's at South Third and Pine streets, the second Protestant
Episcopal Church in the city, was an offshoot of Christ Church, and for
many years both were under the same rectorship. Washington, during his
various sojourns in Philadelphia, attended sometimes one and again the
other, and Pew Number 41 in St. Peter's is pointed out as his. The
building was erected in 1761 and still retains its Colonial
characteristics.

It is a brick structure two and a half stories in height, having
pedimental ends and corners quoined with stone. The fenestration with
many round-headed windows is excellent and has already been alluded to
in Chapter VIII. At one end a massive, square, vine-clad belfry tower of
brick rises to a height of six stories, above which there is a tall,
slender wooden spire surmounted by a ball and cross.

Within are the original square box pews with doors, and seats facing
both ways, those of the galleries being similarly arranged. The whole
aspect is one of great plainness and simple dignity, yet withal
pleasing. A unique feature is the location of the organ and altar at the
eastern end and the reading desk and lofty wineglass pulpit, with
sounding board overhead, at the western end. This compels the rector to
conduct part of the service at each end of the church and obliges the
congregation to change to the other seat of the pews in order to face in
the opposite direction. In the adjoining churchyard are buried many
distinguished early residents of the city, including Commodore Stephen
Decatur.

Trinity Church, Oxford, stands on the site of a log meetinghouse where
Church of England services were held as early as 1698. The present brick
structure was erected in 1711. Standing among fine old trees in the