St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church will celebrate their 110th anniversary with Homecoming Day on Sunday, November 19, at 9:45 a.m., in the sanctuary at 2800 Stanford Ave., in Los Angeles.
The Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Libby, priest-in-charge said, “St. Philip’s can trace its earliest worship services to 1907. It became the first African American congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and today at 110-years-old, is the oldest, historically African American parish still standing west of the Mississippi River. The church building has stood at this corner since its dedication on June 23, 1929. Many who worship here remember those early days and see today’s church to be as vibrant as ever in fresh ways.”
Several current parishioners can trace their lineage in the church back 50 years or more. One of the oldest members, Clelie Talamon, who was recently honored as Mother of the Year, said, “We’re very proud of our church and its history. I hope many who haven’t been here for awhile will come back and be amazed by what we do.”
The church carries out active ministries to meet the needs of the community, running a food pantry, providing home-cooked meals to the homeless, and engaging young people in music.
St. Phillip was named a Cultural Historic Monument in 2010 and the corner it occupies, 28th Street and Stanford Avenue, was designated Bill Terry Square by the Los Angeles City Council. Terry was both a member of St. Philip’s and a Tuskegee Airman.
The Homecoming Day service will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
For information, call the church office on Thursday afternoons at (323) 232-3494.
