Skeptic though he was, Girard sometimes gave money to build churches, not because they were churches, but because, as buildings, they contributed to the improvement of the city.  To a brother merchant, who solicited aid toward building a Methodist church, he once presented a check for five hundred dollars, saying: 

“I approve of your motives, and, as the erection of such a building will tend to improve that quarter of the city, I am willing to assist in the furtherance of your object.”

It happened that the church to which he thus contributed was subsequently sold to the Episcopalians, who proceeded to convert it into a Gothic structure at a very considerable outlay.  They also waited on Girard soliciting a contribution.  He handed them a check for five hundred dollars.  The gentlemen solicitors looked blank, and intimated that he had made the mistake of omitting a cipher.  He had given the “poor Methodists” that sum they pleaded; he surely must have intended to make his present gift five thousand.  With this remark they handed back the check, requesting him to add the desired cipher.

“Ah, gentlemen, what you say?  I have made one mistake?  Let me see; I believe not; but if you say so I must correct it.”

Thus saying, he took up the check, tore it to pieces, and added:  “I will not contribute one cent.  Your society is wealthy.  The Methodists are poor, but I make no distinction.  Yet I can not please you....  I have nothing to give for your magnificent church.”

But, with all his offensive peculiarities, Girard continued to increase his wealth.  His ships spread their sails on every sea and earned money for him in every great commercial port.  In 1812 he founded the old Girard Bank, and added the rich profits of banking to the immense gains of his vast mercantile transactions.  This new enterprise greatly enlarged the sphere of his influence, especially as in matters pertaining to the financial interests of the country and of the city of Philadelphia he manifested a degree of public spirit which contrasted marvelously with his narrowness, meanness, and even inhumanity, in dealing with individual and private interests.  He was certainly a patriotic man.  Nevertheless, as his biographer demonstrates, he always contrived to make his patriotism tributary to the increase of his immense wealth.  His magnificent purchases of United States securities in times of pecuniary disaster, though they contributed immensely to the credit of the government, were not wholly patriotic.  They were, to his far-seeing mind, investments which were sure to pay.  And he knew also that the very magnitude of his purchases would, by strengthening public confidence, insure the profitable returns he sought.  Still, there is no room for doubting the sincerity of his attachment to the country of his adoption.