Missionary District of West Texas The establishment of an Episcopal Church for Black people in the Missionary District of Western Texas, later to become the Diocese of West Texas, began in 1877 with the dream of the Rt. Rev. R. W. B. Elliott, Bishop of the Missionary District. The Bishop envisioned the day when there would be Episcopal Churches in the Missionary District where Negroes could worship God in the great Anglican tradition. He appealed to the clergy and laity of the church to labor among the Negroes to establish Sunday Schools for them. He recognized that at that time were would be those who would look upon such efforts as idealistic, fanatical, silly sentimentalism, designing priests, and hirelings. Yet, said the Bishop, it is also true that the regenerative spirits that raised from the dead ancient society, came through the preaching of men who were called fools, babblers, crazy men who were pointed out as pestilent fellows who were besides themselves. Heirs to the succession, it is to be expected we should be heirs also to the reproaches. He admonished his hearers to be daring in their work, audacious in their undertaking, venturing much for Christ’s sake; to be fools in Christ’s cause. Bishop Elliott’s retirement, however, prevented him from seeing his dream for Negroes come to fruition in his Missionary District. First Episcopal Church for Black People It was not until 1895, under the episcopacy of the Rt. Rev. James Steptoe Johnston, that the first church for Black people — St. Philip’s - was as established in San Antonio, Texas, in the Diocese of West Texas.
St. Philip’s had as its first place of worship, the historic Little Church of La Villita in downtown San Antonio. At that site a Parochial Day School for Girls, later to become co-educational, was begun. This school was the beginning of what is now the St. Philip’s College. Subsequent to its beginning at LaVillita, St. Philip’s Church was relocated several times -- to facilities on Dakota Street in 1917, to temporary use of upstairs rooms in a hardware store on West Commerce Street, to the Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street, to the church constructed on East Commerce Street at Grimes, to its present location on Pecan Valley Drive in 1963. The church has experienced renewed vitality in its spiritual and membership growth during the past 110+ years. Leadership has been provided by a number of priests and lay ministers over the years, and two Black priests were produced from within.
In 1967, its parish status was renewed and there was a transition from a “survival” church to a “ministering” church beyond the parish boundaries. It provided support to the Episcopal Advance Fund, Venture in Mission, Hope for Hunger and the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief, and the United Thank Offering. The church has been involved in several spiritual, educational and social enrichment programs as annual prayer breakfasts, lectures, a day care and reading enrichment programs for children, and partners in education and mentoring participation. It has sponsored a variety of fund-raising projects, the proceeds from which were used to construct a much-needed parish hall for church and community activities, and to support various human service agencies of the community. Many memorial gifts have been made to the church during the years; chiefly among them are the beautiful stained-glass windows that adorn the sanctuary. God has richly blessed St. Philip’s Church over the past 110+ years. May He continue to bless us as we take the mission and ministry of St. Philip’s into the next century.
The Patron Saint of this church is symbolized by a staff surmounted by a cross with two loaves of bread, one on each side of the cross. The staff and cross-refer to his successful journeys among the barbarians in upper Asia and Phrygia, where he spread knowledge of Christianity and the cross of Christ. The cross may also refer to the power of the cross over idols or to Philip’s manner of death, although there is no conclusive evidence that he was crucified. The loaves of bread recall Philip’s remark when Jesus fed the multitude: “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” (John 6:5) Forward to St. Philip's Worship Info>> Staff Our staff is ready to assist you in any way that we can. We encourage you to call or send us an e-mail.
Howard Ray - Senior Warden St. Philip’s is located in east San Antonio on 1310 Pecan Valley Drive, approximately 1 mile south of IH-10 E/US-90, .32 miles (less than 1 mile) north of RIGSBY AVE./US-87, and 2.8 miles west of I-410 S. (see Map below). Our Church Office is open Tuesday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. An answering machine will respond whenever the office
is closed, it is monitored daily. All calls will be returned as
soon as possible. You may contact us via telephone number (210)
333-6256, FAX (210) 333-4648 or e-mail address saintphilips@satx.rr.com. |
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