ParishProfile_St.PhilipsManhattan

parish profile
st. philip's church

The Episcopal Diocese of New York

204 west 134th street

(Between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. & Frederick Douglass Boulevards)

new york, ny 10030

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Table of Contents

Mission Statement...................................................................................... .2
The Arms of St. Philip’s Church ............................................................... .3
The Condensed History of St. Philip’s Church......................................... 4
The State of St. Philip’s Church ................................................................ 10
The Village of Harlem ............................................................................... 11
Parish Organizations…………………………………………………………………………14
Outreach Ministries and Affiliated Programs ........................................... 17
The 2016 Parish Survey .............................................................................. 18
2016 Search Committee and Church Staff and Vestry .............................. 21
Information for Candidates for Rector ...................................................... 22
Appendix A –Parishioners of Note............................................................ 23
Appendix B – Vestry Budget Reports 2013-2015 ......................................... 25

i

"We celebrate what God has done as we
have served him and his city."

These words are inscribed in our stained glass window
on the east wall of the altar. On sunny days the colors
reflect a rainbow reminiscent of our diverse world onto
the altar.

M ission

Our mission is to serve an
increasingly diverse
congregation of people from
many backgrounds, ages,
nationalities and life styles
as the Harlem community
grows. Our journey of faith
calls us to deepen our
commitment to Christ
through spiritual
development and
community service. We
seek to bring about the
spiritual growth of our
congregation through our
worship, parish activities
and community outreach.

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The Arms of St. Philip's
Search Committee

St. Philip's arms was commissioned in the mid-1960s
by Dr. M. Moran Weston to be its identifying
symbol. Our arms represent the account of Philip,
deacon and evangelist as written in Acts 8:26-40.
The shield was created by Reverend Edward N.
West, Canon Sacrist of the Cathedral of St. John the
Divine.

In the upper left-hand corner of the shield is the
Cross of St. George, representing the Anglican
Communion throughout the world.

Superimposed on the Cross of St. George is a six
pointed star with a circle intertwined, symbolic of the
Holy Trinity. The descending dove and halo
represent the Holy Spirit that came down to Philip
and instructed him to go south on the road from
Jerusalem to Gaza and told him to speak to the
Ethiopian sitting in the chariot. The paving stones
under the chariot symbolize the road traveled
together by Philip and the man, who was described as
being in charge of all the treasures of Candace, Queen
of the Ethiopians. The broad wavy lines at the
bottom of the shield represent the body of water in
which Philip baptized the Ethiopian.

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A Condensed History of
St. Philip's Church 1809 - 2015

The condensed history of St. Philip's which time the school had more
Church reflects the trials and than 200 students. This triumph
triumphs of the African American was not achieved or maintained
community for nearly two centuries. without obstacles. Racism was
In fact, the pre-history of this pervasive, even in the church at
congregation dates back to 1702 large.
when the Huguenot, former galley Many non-Africans believed that
slave, and prisoner Elias Neau
petitioned Africans had no souls and therefore
England for perished as beasts. All worship was
missionaries to segregated, and most religious
instruct establishments saw no need to
"Negroes and educate the Africans.
Indians in New By the early 1800's, the "Free African
York.” In 1704 Church of St. Philip" was formed by
the Society for
the propagation 4|P a g e
of the Gospel
appointed Neau
"catechist to the
outcast" and he
was charged
with opening
the "School for Negroes."

The new school was located in the
belfry of Trinity Church and within
a year he had forty-six pupils.
Neau's tenure at the school
continued until his death in 1722, by

those who refused to continue to including Samuel Vreeland Berry
accept the racism they faced in and John Peterson. Fr. Berry grew
worship but who wished to worship up in St. Philip's and was ordained
in the "Anglican Way." in 1849. Fr. Peterson was a teacher
In 1809, St. Philip's Church was by profession, a life-long
organized and led by Peter Episcopalian and served at St.
Williams, Jr., an abolitionist who Philip's as a vestryman and warden.
had been the first black deacon in He was ordained in 1854 and became
the Diocese of New York. The an assistant minister. It was not
church was originally located on until 1872 that the second rector was
Centre Street, but that building was called.
destroyed by fire in 1822, then rebuilt
in brick. In 1826, Peter Williams, In the meantime, St. Philip's vestry
Jr., was ordained to the priesthood continued to be active in the Anti-
and became the first rector of St. Slavery Society and its political
Philip's Church. He remained in the wing, the Liberty Society. In 1845,
position until his death in 1840. Vestryman James McCune Smith
and Alexander Elston sought and
Rev. Peter Williams were denied admission to the
First Rector Diocesan Convention. The motion
1826-1840 to admit St. Philip's was voted down
or tabled every subsequent year until
After Williams' death, the 1853.
congregation's spiritual needs were
tended by priests-in-charge, During 1856-1857, the church was
moved from Centre Street to
Mulberry Street. During the draft
riots of July 1863, the church was
used by the militia as barracks.

In 1865, Elizabeth W. Thompson
became organist and choirmaster.
During her tenure, she enlisted
African American singer and
composer William Appo, and lead
soprano Madam Keeble, to integrate

5|P a g e

the choir with men and women. She in 1889. Also recognizing the need
revived the music school at St. for affordable housing in the African
Philip's. American community, Dr. Bishop
purchased residential buildings
Thirty-two years later, St. Philip's along 135th Street between Seventh
called its second rector, William and Lenox Avenues in Harlem
Johnson Alston, on May 14, 1872. (uptown Manhattan). He also
Unfortunately, he died two years purchased the properties on 133rd
later on May 26, 1874. After a short and 134th Streets where the church
search, Joseph Sandford Atwell was now stands.
called and became the third rector on
February 9, 1875. He died on
October 8, 1881.

The next search ushered in the
Bishop family dynasty. In 1886, Dr.
Hutchens Chew Bishop became the
fourth rector.

Dr. Hutchens Chew Bishop The present church building
Fourth Rector designed by Vertner Woodson
1885-1933 Tandy, the first African American
registered architect in New York,
Aware of the changing was dedicated on March 25, 1911 and
demographics of New York, Dr.
Bishop led the relocation of the 6|P a g e
church from Mulberry Street to 161
West 25th Street in mid-Manhattan

was granted landmark status on July Frederic Wertham, a psychiatrist,
15, 1991. and author Richard Wright. Dr.
Wertham and a staff of twenty-five
In 1933, Shelton Hale Bishop became provided psychiatric counseling to
the fifth rector succeeding his father. anyone for 25 cents per session.
Dr. Hutchens Chew Bishop.
During the tenure of Dr. Bishop and
Fr. Bishop, St. Philip's became a
force for social change

Shelton Hale Bishop Fifth Rector Some members of the Board of Directors
1933-1957 for the Lafargue Clinic at St. Philip's. From
left: writer-columnist Earl Brown, Dr.
by providing housing in the Frederic Wertham, Fr. Shelton Hale
beginning of the twentieth century, Bishop and Mrs. Marion Hernandez,
opening Camp Guilford Bower in Planned Parenthood.
1927, coordinating relief and
counseling services during the By the mid 1950's, the clinic served
Depression and opening the first an average of sixty people per week.
psychotherapy clinic, the Lafargue By the mid 1950's, the clinic served
Clinic. an average of sixty people per week.
By the end of Rev. Shelton Bishop's
The clinic opened in 1945 as a time of service, the congregation had
collaboration among Fr. Bishop, Dr. grown to 4,000.

In 1957, Dr. M. Moran Weston
became the sixth rector. During the
next 25 years, he continued the
tradition of social activism. He
further expanded the church's role in

7|P a g e

providing affordable housing by
opening non-profit developments

Rev. Chester L. Talton
Seventh Rector
1985-1990

Dr. M. Moran Weston Sixth Rector It was not until 1998 that St. Philip's
1957-1982 called Rev. E. Roland Clemons as its
eighth rector. His service with St.
such as St. Philips on the Park (St. Philip's was dissolved in 2002.
Nicholas Avenue and 134th Street),
and Senior House (133rd Street Rev. E. Roland Clemons
between Adam Clayton Powell and Eighth Rector
Fredrick Douglass Boulevards). He 1998-2002
also led the redevelopment of St. 8|P a g e
Philip's Community Center/Parish
House Complex

In 1985, Fr. Chester L. Talton
became the seventh rector of St.
Philip's. In 1990, Fr. Talton was
elected Suffragan Bishop of Los
Angeles, CA.

From 2002 to 2012, St. Philip's Charge. In 2014 he was called as our
spiritual and administrative ninth rector.
leadership went through a
succession of interim priests and During Fr. Johnson's time with St.
priests-in-charge. We thank Rev. Philip's, he was becoming a force in
Howard E. Blunt, the Rev. Cecily the community with the Prison
Broderick y Guerra, and Rev. Outreach Ministry, and his
Rhonda J. Rubinson for shepherding concentration on youth. Through
us during this period. Warriors of the Dream, a diocese-
sponsored drumming initiative as
In June 2012, Fr. Keith Johnson came well as his ease with talking with
to St. Philip's as our Priest-In- people, he was on the cusp of leading
St. Philip's toward renewal.

Rev. Keith Johnson
Ninth Rector
2012-2015

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The State of St. Philip's
Church

Located in the heart of Harlem in by the Rev. Chloe Breyer (Associate

New York City, St. Philip’s Church Priest), and the Rev. Dn. Fitzroy

has been Edwards

listening (Deacon).

and Together,
responding
they are
to God,
meeting the
Church and
spiritual
Community
since 1809. 2015 Episcopal Bishop Visitation The Rt. needs of the
The Church Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Fr. Patrick J. Parish.
is running Williams, Interim Priest and candidates for
smoothly Baptismal /Reaffirmation Service. In addition,
St. Philip’s

after having rebounded from the Church also maintains active and

sudden and unexpected passing of engaged ministries, including but

our Rector, the Rev. Keith Johnson not limited to: The Harlem Youth

in February 2015. St. Philip’s Initiative; Alcoholics Anonymous

Church is supported by a high level which has been meeting at St.

of laypeople participation in Parish Philip’s for over fifty (50) years; The

operations and activities. Our Prison Reentry Ministry; Ecclesia

Interim Priest, the Rev. Patrick J. (Outdoor Worship Service

Williams, has provided steady and conducted as part of a Coalition of

consistent leadership of our flock Churches) Ministry; The Young

during this time. He is supported Adult Ministry, St. Philip's Bible

Study group "Talk About God” or

"TAG." Altogether, our church

continues on in the tradition and

spirit that is St. Philip’s.

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The Village of Harlem

History, the Civil Rights By 1910, St. Philip's was in the
movement, creative expression forefront of the black migration to
through the Arts, cultural Harlem. The then Rector Hutchens
institutions, real estate development, Chew Bishop was strong-willed, far
and an interconnected sighted and forward thinking. He
transportation network all purchased land on 134th Street to
contribute to Harlem being construct our new church home.
recognized as the most dynamic The pioneering black architectural
community of the African American firm of Tandy & Foster was hired to
Diaspora within the United States. build the new St. Philip's in the
The boundaries for Harlem are heart of Harlem. The Vertner C.
Harlem River to the east, the Tandy’s design in the Neo-Gothic
Hudson River on the west, 110th style was designated a landmark
Street at the south, and 155 Street to building in 1993.
the north.
Dr. Bishop also purchased a row of
Harlem, was first named by Peter apartment buildings on 135 Street.
Stuyvesant as Nieuw Haarlem in With this purchase, 200 apartments
1658. At the time, it was sparsely were available to address the
populated farmland, primarily housing needs of the parishioners
owned by the Dutch. By the 1800s, it who were anticipated to accompany
had evolved into a suburb of genteel the church's move from downtown
country estates. The early 1900s saw Manhattan to its new uptown
rapid real estate development location. As a forward thinking
resulting from the installation of an
elevated train line with a major 11 | P a g e
station on 125th Street. An
urbanized Harlem was created and
inhabited by white, Jewish, Italian,
Irish or German families. When a
housing glut became apparent,
blacks moved in.

rector, he used the rental income Public and private housing
from these apartments to fund an complexes, such as the New York
endowment for the church. By the City Housing Authority's Lincoln
1970s however, these buildings Houses and Metropolitan Life
required extensive renovation and Insurance's Riverton Apartments,
under the leadership of Dr. M. were built primarily for returning
Moran Weston, our sixth rector, the black veterans, as well as working
buildings were sold and renamed the and middle class black families.
M. Moran Weston Community Harlem was on its way to becoming
Apartments. a segregated neighborhood. Because
these new buildings were in close
With the black migration into proximity to St. Philip's Church, the
Harlem from both downtown and increased migration of blacks to
the South, Harlem became a Harlem and the church's significant
national black enclave and a cultural community outreach programs, the
destination. During the 1920s and church benefited from the stream of
1930s, this neighborhood attracted, potential parishioners and became
and nourished the artistic expression the largest Episcopalian
and creativity of painters, sculptors, congregation in North America.
poets, novelists and musicians.
Thus, The Harlem Renaissance. From 1970 to 1989, Harlem began its
Aaron Douglas, Augusta Savage, decline and became indicative of
Langston Hughes, Zora Neale several social ills - crime, drugs,
Hurston, Duke Ellington, and Cab housing abandonment and disrepair.
Calloway were among many who However, St. Philip's became a
made Harlem “the place to be.” player in contributing to remedy the
housing needs of the community.
The Great Depression, which During the 1970s, under Dr. M.
followed the Stock Market Crash of Moran Weston, our sixth rector,
1929, had a debilitating impact on the three major residential projects were
black residents of Harlem. There built: St. Philip's on the Park, St.
was high unemployment, pervasive Philip's Senior House, and St.
discrimination and inflated rents. Philip's on Convent Avenue. They
Post World War II, there was were modern high-rise buildings
evidence of economic improvement, designed with open spaces,
but racial segregation persisted. particularly for the elderly,

12 | P a g e

handicapped and/or low-to- New York City Department of
moderate income families. These Housing Preservation and
properties, however, were divested Development oversaw the apartment
from the church's real estate rentals.
portfolio and are no longer church
assets. Harlem Today

Twenty-first Century Harlem St. Philip's Church, resides in the
midst of Central Harlem, a
The beginning of this century found burgeoning community. Central
Harlem undergoing another Harlem population has1.5 million:
renaissance. The proximity to mid 62 percent black, 23.9 percent
and downtown Manhattan, a major Hispanic/Latino, 8.1 percent white,
construction boom of residential and 3.0 percent Asian. Although the
developments, and the influx of new numbers may seem insignificant,
businesses draw a racially diverse longtime residents see the
migration from around this country gentrification that is occurring in a
and from countries throughout the myriad of ways. For example, the
world. Apollo on 125th Street, still a cultural
icon throughout the world, is now
Within the past ten years, St. Philip's surrounded by major banks such as
has resumed its focus towards the J. P. Morgan Chase; retailers such
building of affordable housing in as The Gap; food chains such as
Harlem. The church has partnered Whole Foods, and restaurant chains
with Habitat for Humanity to like Red Lobster. Numerous new
rehabilitate apartments for home restaurants reflect cuisine from
ownership within an apartment around the world. And cultural
building and a townhouse located institutions such as the Studio
directly across the street from the Museum in Harlem and the
church. The church has also co- Schomburg keep the works of the
sponsored a public/private 40 African diaspora and those inspired
apartment renovation project with by black art relevant and accessible
Shiloh Baptist Church for the Lenox to the community. Harlem is again
Powell Project located on Adam on the upswing - the place to be.
Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard. The

13 | P a g e

Parish Organizations

M usic

●The Chancel Choir

participates in leading liturgy

through music.

.

●Voices of Praise participate

in leading liturgy through

gospel and contemporary

music. ●Handbell Choir is an intergenerational group of

children, teenagers and adults that serve as bell

ringers for our three octave set of Malmark.

handbells.

M inistries Altar Guild: The Altar Guild are
lay persons entrusted with the
Acolytes: Acoytes assist the priest on responsibility of preparing the altar
the altar and ensure the orderly and for all services and of caring for the
smooth progression of worship. communion vessels and elements for
Holy Communion.

14 | P a g e

Candace Organization: This Health Ministry Team: Promotes
organization fosters spiritual growth health and wellness for parishioners,
through service oriented activities through health education and illness
within the church and the prevention programs. Provides
community-at-large. monthly hypertension monitoring
for parishioners, visitors, and
Cutural Committee: Offers and community-at-large.
supports activities that foster,
communication, education, and Integrity Ministry: A local partner
cultural exchange and provides of Integrity USA, the Episcopal
enrichment and involvement for St. Church’s ministry by and for LGBT
Philip’s congregation and our (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
Harlem community. transgender) and those who love
them.
Daughters of the King: An
Episcopalian ministry that promotes Lay Eucharist Ministry: The
faith in Christ’s kingdom through Diocese of New York license lay
service, prayer, and evangelism. Eucharistic ministers. LEM are
elected by Rector or priest-in-charge.
Flower Guild: For the beautification
of our sanctuary with plants and Ushers Guild: Ushers serve by
flowers. receiving members and visitors to
worship on Sundays, feast, fast days,
Greeters Ministry: Welcomes funerals, and weddings.
visitors and educates interested
persons about the history of the Young Adult Ministry: Young
church, schedule, and activities. adults gather together for worship,
education, social events, and
outreach.

St. Philip's Jazztree: Promotes the
preservation of African-Americans’'
contribution to an array of musical
genres jazz, blues, and Afro-Cuban
rhythms.

15 | P a g e

Sunday School:

Children five to
eighteen years old
are taught Christian
theology based on
The Book of Common

Prayer and
The Bible.

Women's Ministry: Fosters
togetherness through worship,
hospitality and fundraising for
the betterment of the church and
the community-at-large.

16 | P a g e

Outreach Ministries and

Affiliated Programs

“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”
Episcopalian Baptismal Covenant

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

St. Philip's provides a safe meeting place for three community based organizations to
hold weekly AA meetings.

Ecclesia Ministry

A coalition of churches, of which St. Philip's is one, conducts a monthly outdoor
worship service in Marcus Garvey Park located on Fifth Avenue and 121st Street.
The host church makes and serves lunch for distribution after service in the Park.

Prison Re-Entry Program

Clergy and parishioners join together with the Harlem Community Justice Center
to assist in the reintegration of persons from prison into a community. St. Philip's is
a host site for the re-entry program’s Speakers’ Bureau initiative. St. Philip’s hosts
and celebrates the annual re-entry service.

Senator Charles Allen III Scholarship Fund

Provides financial aid to minority high school students attending college.

St. Philip's Federal Credit Union

The St. Philip’s Credit Union was organized in 1951. It is a federally-chartered
financial institution and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Its
mission is to encourage thrift among its members, and to assist them in developing a
sound financial understanding. Membership is open to all members of St. Philip’s
Church. The Credit Union is affiliated with St. Philip’s Church, but is
independently managed by a Board of Directors composed of eight members of the
church.

Warriors of the Dream

The Warriors of the Dream project is aimed at forming a healing and transformative
community of youth in Harlem, through dialogue, recreation, the arts and
mentorship. All youth from elementary school to high school are welcome.

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The 2016 Parish Survey

Average # of weekly attendees: 110 Total # of respondents: 71

Age Gender

1% 4% 2.8%

24% 14% 25.4%

20% 37% 71.8%

18-29 30-49 50-65 Female Male No Answer
66-75 76-100 No Answer

Years at St. Philip's Live in Boro other than
Manhattan
1.4%

11.3% 4.2%

32.4%

44.1%

55.9%

49.3%

<1 year One - 5 Six - 10
Eleven-49 Over 50
Yes No

Education

20.3% 0.0% 26.1%

14.5% 7.2%

31.9%

<11 H.S. Grad Associates Bachelor Grad Advanced Degree/License

18 | P a g e

The 2016 Parish Survey

As one parishioner stated “I would like to see a Rector who is inclusive in his
decisions in managing the church. One whose goals are within the mission of
the church. One who is going to help the church reach out to the community
by helping us to grow spiritually.” Many more parishioners found these
sentiments also central to their core values and characteristics that they would like
to see in a Rector for St. Philip’s.

Personal Importance of Church's Activities

Rector/parishioners maintain open commuications 92%
Financial stability 86%
83%
Newcomers are welcome by parishioners 83%
Preaching 82%
78%
Rector/Vestry establish clear goals for church 78%
Sunday school/prog for children/youth 72%
Sermons that are personal 72%
70%
Clergy encourages parishioners time/talent/treasure 68%
Affairs of church done in best business practice 66%
Rector/parishioners acknownledge diversity 66%
Growth strategy for the parish 65%
Parishioners fully involved in stewardship prog 63%
Sermons based on Bible/liturgical ministries 63%
Musical selections, hymns/orgran spiritually… 62%
Inclusiveness 61%
Maintenance of physical property of parish 61%
Clergy fully involved in parish stewardship prog 61%
Individual spiritual direction is provided
Programs provided for teens/young adults
Liturgical Style

19 | P a g e

Personal Desires for Rector

70%

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

0%

Top Five Characteristics of a Good Rector

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Understands and Works hard with Engages Regards Bible as Generates ideas

recognizes the parishioners and parishioners to an interpretation

history of our others to take part in of God's dealing

church and achieve Sunday services with humanity

works with objectives

congregation to

redefine its

place in today's

society

20 | P a g e

2016 Search Committee
Co-Chairs Members

Co-Chairs Members
Charles Leonard Mitchell, Esq. Joan Arnold
Doreen A. Malliet Beverly Brown
Geneva Chase
Lybra Clemons
Rita Livingston
R. Emanuel Scott, Jr.
Mabel D. Wernham

Church Staff and Vestry

The Reverend Patrick Williams Interim Pastor
The Reverend Chloe Breyer Associate Priest
The Reverend Dn Fitzroy Edwards Deacon

Eric Carlson Organist & Choir Director
Charles Lovell Director, Contemporary Choir

Office Administration

Gail Silver Parish Administrator

Douglas Wilburn, Jr. Sexton

Dou-gal Douglas Sexton

VESTRY

Wardens: Charles E. Williams III, Esq. Class of 2017

Lisa Forte-Mason, Esq. Class of 2016

Vestry Members: Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018
Felix Okolo
Eric Hall Beverly Brown Renee Parris-Scott
Tod Roulette
Erdene Kims Rita Livingston

Gwendolyn Reece Doreen A. Malliet

Vestry Standing Committees: Stewardship
Building & Grounds Rita Livingston
Garl Robinson Erdene Kims
Randoph V. Jacobs, Jr.

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Information for Candidates
for Rector

We invite you to apply to become our next Rector. All are welcome! Please send
your cover letter with a copy of your resume/curriculum vitae and your OTM
Personal Profile to us.

VIA EMAIL TO:
[email protected]
If you have any questions for the St. Philip’s Church Search Committee, kindly
leave a voicemail message at 917-557-1156 or email us at the aforementioned email
address.

Thank you for your interest in St. Philip’s Church. May God continue to bless us all on this
journey.

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APPENDIX
A. Parishioners of Note

Cab Calloway (b. 1907 – d. 1994) College. Mr. Hancock served as St.
World famous jazz musician, composer, Philips organist and choir master from
and band leader. He led the Cotton 1974-82. His compositions of sacred
Club’s house. Cab Calloway also played music include “The Wrath of God.”
with Duke Ellington.
John H. Hewitt, Jr. (d. 2000)
Evelyn Cunningham (b. 1916 - d. 2010) Former professor at Morehouse College.
A trailblazing journalist who covered He owned one of the most
the Civil Rights movement from its comprehensive and important
inception - often from dangerous places. collections of African-American Art.
Ms. Cunningham was appointed by Mr. Hewitt wrote a book on the history
Richard Nixon to the Task Force on of St. Philip’s entitled Protest and
Women’s Rights and Responsibilities, Progress: New York’s First Black
served as special assistant to New York Episcopal Church Fights Racism.
Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, and
special assistant to U. S. President Langston Hughes (b. 1902 – d. 1967)
Gerald Ford. She was an active member Poet, novelist, and playwright, Langston
of St. Philip’s Women’s Ministry. Hughes was a pioneer of “jazz poetry”
during the Harlem Renaissance. When
Emily Frye (d. 2007) in New York, he attended St. Philip’s.
Was the first female warden of St. Langston referenced the church in some
Philip’s. Ms. Frye was an educator in of his writings.
the New York City public schools. She
also served as chair of the Social Elizabeth Jennings (b. 1830 – d. 1901)
Concerns Commission for the New Ms. Jennings was a school teacher and
York Diocese, served as secretary for parishioner at St. Philip’s. In 1854, she
the Manhattan North Inter-parish was thrown off a “whites only” horse
Council, and volunteered for Habitat for drawn trolley and was injured. Ms.
Humanity. Her donation of the Jennings successfully sued the trolley
Stations of the Cross to St. Philip’s are company and this outcome led to the
still in use today. integration of the New York City public
transit.
Eugene Hancock (b. 1929 – d. 1994)
He was a distinguished organist, Thurgood Marshall b. 1908 – d. 1993)
composer, and professor of music at the As Chief Counsel for the NAACP,
Borough of Manhattan Community Thurgood Marshall won the seminal

23 | P a g e

Brown v. the Board of Education in and was featured in the film to Kill a
1954. He was the first African American Mockingbird.
appointed as Solicitor General and first
African American appointed as Justice Dr. James McCune Smith
of the United States Supreme Court. (b. 1813 – d. 1865)
Justice Marshall was a parishioner and A noted author, orator, and first African
vestryman. American medical doctor in the Unites
States, Smith attended Glasgow
Thurgood Marshall and Dr. M. Moran University in Scotland and attained
Weston, Sixth Rector of Philip’s. three academic degrees and a doctorate
Dinner Reception for Thurgood in medicine. He worked with Frederick
Marshall. Douglass in founding the National
Council of Colored People.
Archibald Murray, Esq. (d. 2001)
A groundbreaker in many ways, Murray Dr. Elizabeth Bishop Davis Trussell (b.
was the first African-American 1813 - d. 2010)
president of the New York State Bar Dr. Davis is the daughter of the Rev.
Association, Chairman of the Board and Shelton Hale Bishop, Fifth Rector of St.
Attorney-in Chief of the Legal Aid Philip’s. She graduated from Barnard
Society of New York, Trustee Emeritus College and received her M.D. from the
and former Vice President of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons ( P
University. & S), Columbia University in 1949. In
1962, Dr. Davis became the first director
Brock Peters (b. 1927-d. 2005) of Harlem’s newly-established
A prominent singer and actor, Peters Department of Psychiatry – a position
sang backup vocals for Harry Belafonte, she held until 1978. In 1971 she became a
was nominated for a Tony Award for Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, and
his role in Broadway’s Lost in the Stars, Professor Emeritus at P & S in 1978.

Oliver C. Sutton (d. 1983)
A New York State Supreme Court
Justice from 1971 until 1980. Sutton was
also co-founder and vice chairman of
the Inner City Broadcasting
Corporation, and a prominent
Democrat involved in Harlem politics.

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APPENDIX

B. 2016 St. Philip’s Events

October 30th

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Credit: Ashley Skatoff

MAY 23 rd

Above: Bryan Stevenson with Steering Committee
Below: Bryan Stevenson with Panel

Credit: Angela James

Warriors of the
Dream

Sweet Amen of
Peace – the message

of Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King

April 30th

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Serving God and Community since 1809

The Rev. Patrick Williams, Interim Priest-In-Charge – The Rev. Chloe Breyer, Associate Priest –
The Rev. Dn. Fitzroy Edwards, Deacon

Mr. Erik Carlson, Acting Organist & Choir Directors – Mr. Charles Lovell, Director, Contemporary Choir
Ms. Gail Silver, Parish Administrator – Mr. R. Lloyd Sherwood, Jr., Sexton – Mr. Dou-Gal Douglas, Sexton

Parish Office: 212-862-4940; Facsimile: 212-682-6119; Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stphilipsharlem.dioceseny.org