St. Philip's in Richmond, Virginia, celebrates 150 years
Episcopal News Service. October 11, 2011 [101111-01]
Emily Cherry, Communications Officer for the Diocese of Virginia
At the dawn of the Civil War, the Diocese of Virginia saw the birth of a new church in the capital city of Richmond. The members of this church were freemen, freewomen and indentured servants of Virginia aristocrats and landowners, members of the first African-American congregation in the diocese.
Now, 150 years later, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, the oldest historically African-American Episcopal church in Virginia, is recognizing that heritage.
Oct. 2-9, St. Philip's celebrated their sesquicentennial with a jazz family night, a celebratory banquet and a homecoming Eucharist, where the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of Virginia, presided.
"This is an historic time, for an historic place … for people who are even now making history," said Johnston in his sermon, in which he spoke of a commitment to community and stewardship, adding, "These are the right pathways for the next 150 years and forever."
The congregation had its beginnings in a Sunday school at St. James's, Richmond where, according to the St. James's history, "Not Hearers Only," the Rev. Adam Empie had "the church gallery set aside for the exclusive use of blacks from 1842 forward. Most of these were undoubtedly servants of parishioners. In 1845 Empie reported that, "A Sunday School for colored children and adults, bond and free, has just been opened by the Rector, on last Lord's Day, with 120 pupils." Richmond-area churches later contributed funds for the construction of a church building to attract more African Americans to the Episcopal Church, and in 1861 St. Philip's celebrated their first worship service. That original building was later destroyed in a fire in 1865. After the burning of the first church building, parishioners worshipped in homes until another building was secured with financial assistance from the diocese, St. James's Church and the family of J.E.B. Stuart.
In 1920, St. Philip's changed from missionary to full-church status. In 1959, St. Philip's purchased their current building, on Hanes Avenue on Richmond's north side, from Church of the Epiphany, Richmond, where they continue to worship today.
The congregation of St. Philip's is a diverse group of about 230 members with active ministries and Christian education programs for youth and adults. A chapter of the Knights of St. Philip's sponsors fellowship events for men in the congregation and works to support the church's ministries. The Episcopal Church Women group helps support a local adult care facility, and Beblon Parks, a member of St. Philip's, currently serves as the diocesan ECW president. St. Philip's also sponsors an active Girl Scouts program, and in fact organized the first African-American Brownie troop in the south in 1939, according to Eva Brinkley, a life-long member of St. Philip's.
The Rev. Phoebe Roaf, rector of St. Philip's, is the church's first female clergy leader. A former St. Philip's parishioner, Roaf was called to serve as 22nd rector in August 2011, after having served associate rector at Trinity Church, New Orleans.
In years to come, Roaf hopes to build on the congregation's commitment to local outreach. Their current community outreach includes a food pantry and participation in CARITAS, an ecumenical shelter program. "One of our hopes is to find new ways of connecting with the community," said Roaf, adding that such work which will entail strategic planning and goal-setting. "I feel like [the parishioners are] really ready for that, and are looking for new ways to revitalize the congregation."