Prayer Book that Banished the King's Name On July 4th 1776 on Display At Christ Church

On July 4, 1776, as delegates to the Continental Congress put the finishing touches on the Declaration of Independence, the Rev. Jacob Duché, then Rector of Christ Church, called together his board of directors. He asked them to consider a resolution removing prayers to King George and the Royal Family from the liturgy. After serious deliberation, the vote was taken: a unanimous vote to cross out all references to the King and substitute these words now used in prayer books around the world: "we pray for those who bear the authority of government in this and every land." This recently restored 18th century English Prayer Book is now on display at Christ Church. "The amazing part of the story is that the Rector and vestry did this most public act before the Continental Congress released the Declaration of Independence. They had no fear here at Christ Church, and this act was far riskier. It was not long until Duché was arrested for an act of treason...an act punishable by public hanging," said Rev. Timothy Stafford, Rector, Christ Church Philadelphia. "This wasn’t like marking-up a book today. This was declaring independence from British rule...and leaving the evidence. It wasn’t until several days after the 4th that the Declaration was made public and another 30 until it was signed with such great flourish by John Hancock." Visit historic Christ Church at the corners of 2nd and Market Streets for tours and talks on colonial and revolutionary-era history. Open to the visitors Monday-Saturday 9:00-5:00, Sunday 1:00-5:00.