Our History
St. Philip’s earliest beginning as chronicled in the History of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 1914-1973 by Charles E. Thomas tells of one woman’s dedication and faith to her God, as the only “negro” communicant of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville. Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Priestly (circa 1863 – June 3, 1926) had the fortitude to share her desire with the Rev. Alexander Robert Mitchell, Rector of Christ Church, to have a separate church for her people to worship as Episcopalians.In 1914, St. Philip’s was established as a mission church, which was consecrated by Bishop C. Alfred Cole. Here it remained, serving the Nicholtown neighborhood and generations of members through the end of the last millennium and into this one. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, since the publishing of Mr. Thomas’ history of the Church in 1973, has continued in the faith and strength of its founding mother, Mrs. Priestly.
Throughout its history, St. Philip’s has had a strong tradition of outreach to its community by forming Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, conducting day camps, holding classes for adults in the community, and making available educational programs for adults.
In 2001, the churches in the Reedy River Convocation recognized St. Philip’s growing need for space. The group developed the idea of joining together to build a space devoted to worship and using hands-on-volunteer labor of Episcopalians. A steering committee of members from other Episcopal congregations met for more than a year under the leadership of the vicar, the Reverend Beth Wickenburg Ely, to plan, finance, and secure donations and put the project into action.
Construction began in July. Soon volunteer Episcopalians, working side by side, began to gather each weekend to labor and laugh together. Donations of materials and money miraculously appeared, as the dream of a church took shape, and people throughout the diocese caught the vision.
St. Philip’s, now dubbed “The Miracle Church,” was dedicated and consecrated on Thursday, December 5, 2002 under the leadership of the Rt. Reverend Dorsey Felix Henderson, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and the Reverend Ely. The first service was held on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2002.
Throughout its history, St. Philip’s has had a strong tradition of outreach to its community by forming Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, conducting day camps, holding classes for adults in the community, and making available educational programs for adults.
In 2001, the churches in the Reedy River Convocation recognized St. Philip’s growing need for space. The group developed the idea of joining together to build a space devoted to worship and using hands-on-volunteer labor of Episcopalians. A steering committee of members from other Episcopal congregations met for more than a year under the leadership of the vicar, the Reverend Beth Wickenburg Ely, to plan, finance, and secure donations and put the project into action.
Construction began in July. Soon volunteer Episcopalians, working side by side, began to gather each weekend to labor and laugh together. Donations of materials and money miraculously appeared, as the dream of a church took shape, and people throughout the diocese caught the vision.
St. Philip’s, now dubbed “The Miracle Church,” was dedicated and consecrated on Thursday, December 5, 2002 under the leadership of the Rt. Reverend Dorsey Felix Henderson, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and the Reverend Ely. The first service was held on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2002.