Wissahickon in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kelpius Community

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 26, 2015

1. Kelpius Community Marker

Inscription. In 1694, German mystic Johannes Kelpius and his followers established a community near here in response to William Penn’s offer of religious freedom. Members of the “Hermits of the Wissahickon” produced poetry and music, practiced astronomy and botany, and made an early pipe organ, as they awaited the millenium. They welcomed all ethnic groups and Native Americans. The community gradually dissolved after Kelpius died in 1708.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1694.

Location. 40° 1.51′ N, 75° 12.051′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Wissahickon. It is on Hermit Lane close to Henry Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19128, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hermits of the Wissahickon / The Hermitage (within shouting distance of this marker); Walnut Lane Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles

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away); Wissahickon Valley Park (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Germantown (approx. half a mile away); Forbidden Drive (approx. half a mile away); Ten Box Shelter (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Walnut Lane Bridge (approx. half a mile away); Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 26, 2015

2. Kelpius Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.