"This is the most beautifully presented church history I have ever seen. The author team skillfully weaves together many strands of a venerable Philadelphia church: the architectural history of St. Peter's; the troubled times that divided the church during the American Revolution and Civil War; the outreach mission efforts, mostly by female parishioners, when the church was surrounded by the struggling poor of the late nineteenth century; and the stirring rebirth of the church in recent decades after it almost closed its doors. Utterly frank in discussing the church's low points as well as high points, it is a fascinating exploration of one of Philadelphia's treasures." —Gary B. Nash, Professor of History Emeritus and Director, National Center for History in the Schools, UCLA