St. Peter’s Church to Celebrate the Return of the Marquis de Lafayette
Lafayette Hill, PA, Apr. 9, 2025 -- St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3025 Church Rd., Lafayette Hill, PA, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the third visit of Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, to the Philadelphia area on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The “Celebration of the Return of the Marquis de Lafayette” will start at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
St. Peter’s, in conjunction with the American Friends of Lafayette, will celebrate Lafayette’s 1825 return to “Chestnut Hill” with an historical presentation on Lafayette and Philadelphia, along with self-guided tours of the church cemetery, where 14 veterans of the Continental Army, plus the six Oneida scouts who fell during the battle, are buried. Also featured in the day’s activities will be two “revolutionary” performances by the Philly Fife and Drums Corps under the direction of Lois Herbine.
Best known as the youngest general in the Continental Army, Lafayette also made a triumphant return to the United States during 1824 and 1825 as an elder statesman of the French Republic, and the only surviving Revolutionary War general. Following his 1824 visit to Philadelphia, he toured all 24 states before returning on July 20, 1825 to the Philadelphia area in recognition of his most famous action in the war, the Battle of Barren Hill, in May 1778.
The exact route of Lafayette’s July 1825 visit is uncertain. Two primary sources state he toured the battlefield, that is, the St. Peter’s cemetery and the original church building, while two others state that he just came “within sight” of the battlefield from Chestnut Hill.
Lafayette had led a contingent of 2200 Continental Army soldiers, 600 Pennsylvania Militiamen and 50 Oneida warriors from Valley Forge to the then Barren Hill in May 1778 to spy on the British army contingent then headquartered in Philadelphia. The ensuing battle, wherein Lafayette’s detachment was surrounded by the British, saw a narrow escape by the majority of the colonial forces back to Matson’s Ford. At the same time, a small group, including the Oneida, fought a delaying action centered around St. Peter’s original building and the still-existing church cemetery.
The public is invited to attend, free of charge, although a free will offering will be accepted.
If you would like any more information regarding this event please contact John Shiffert or the Church Office.
