Prayer in Congress Started in Philly 250 Years Ago This September

September 7th is the 250th anniversary of prayer in Congress, a tradition that began in Philadelphia during the First Continental Congress at Carpenters’ Hall in 1774. On September 5th and 7th, Carpenters’ Hall is hosting two events that commemorate the historical moment and consider: “What role should faith play in American democracy today?”

“Prayer in Congress is actually older than the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,” said Michael Norris, Executive Director, The Carpenters’ Company/Carpenters’ Hall. “A conversation about faith in our governmental institutions is well-timed, given the 250th anniversary, the current rise in Christian nationalism, and the focus on religion in the 2024 presidential race.”

FAST FACTS:

• This year is the 250th anniversary of Carpenters’ Hall and the First Continental Congress, and the 300th anniversary of The Carpenters’ Company of The City and County of Philadelphia
• On September 7, 1774, Rev. Jacob Duché of Old City’s Christ Church delivered a rousing invocation/prayer at Carpenters’ Hall before the Founding Fathers at the First Continental Congress. This moment set a precedent for prayer in Congress that continues to this day
• Samuel Adams suggested that Rev. Duché deliver the invocation
• Duché removed King George III from his prayer list and, in 1776, became the first official congressional chaplain
• The House and Senate still each open their day with a one-minute prayer, delivered by their respective chaplains; each prayer is recorded in the Congressional Record
• Almost all state legislatures still have an opening prayer
• The Supreme Court has debated the constitutionality of the position of Congressional Chaplain several times
• While guest chaplains from various faiths and demographics have been brought in, there have historically been very few non-male, non-white, non-Protestant Chaplains
• The current Senate chaplain Rear Admiral Barry C. Black, is the first Black chaplain

ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:
September 5: Faith and Democracy and the Legacy of the First Prayer in Congress

• A rare gathering of nine faith leaders from Philadelphia’s most historic Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations to discuss and debate prayer and religion in American government and civic culture in a one-night-only event
• Historical context provided by John Fea, professor of history at Messiah University and author of Was America Founded as a Christian Nation; Presented in partnership with the Dialogue Institute
• Held 5:30-7 p.m. in American Philosophical Society’s Benjamin Franklin Hall at 427 Chestnut Street

September 7: Public Reading of the First Congressional Prayer

• Exactly 250 years since the first prayer in Congress, Carpenters’ Hall hosts a free public reading of the invocation
• Following the brief reading outside at 11 a.m., attendees will be welcomed into Carpenters’ Hall to explore the historic site and see two versions of a famous painting depicting Rev. Duché and the delegates in Carpenters’ Hall
• A John Adams reenactor will be on site along with several more characters in costume who will be performing short scenes relating to the First Continental Congress at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Learn more here.