St. Philip’s Episcopal Church: a brief history
If you’ve been a member of St. John’s Cathedral for a few years, you may have heard a story about our congregation asking a young black woman not to worship here. This rejection led to the founding of St. Philip’s church just down the street. When Dean Kate and Father Mark told me that St. John’s would be supporting St. Philip’s as they undergo a discernment process, I was curious about this little bit of history. With the help of Nina Searcy in the Archives department, I was able to find a history and heritage of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church written by Marsha Dean Phelts that explains this incident and its aftermath. A portion of Phelts' work follows.
Excerpts from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church: History and Heritage
by Marsha Dean Phelts
Blacks had long worshipped in the Episcopal Church both as slaves and as freemen. In 1856 the Sunday School at St. John’s Episcopal Church of Jacksonville reported an attendance of 140 of whom 90 were Black. Things went on this way for both races until the Civil War brought an end to slavery. The need for separate churches became apparent after the Civil War. White congregations were now reluctant to hold worship services in the same buildings as their former slaves. And Blacks did not want to be relegated to the side pews as freedmen. At St. John's Episcopal Church, colored worshipers who did not know their place (i.e., to be seen, but not heard) were unwelcome. This issue became clear when one of the first black schoolteachers in Jacksonville attended a service.
In his autobiography, Along This Way, James Weldon Johnson wrote of his mother’s first and last visit to the St. John’s Episcopal Church. Helen Louise Dillet Johnson, born in Nassau, West Indies, was an Episcopalian from birth. She came to Jacksonville with her husband James W. Johnson in 1869 from New York where she sang in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral. Once in Jacksonville, Mrs. Johnson expected that her lifelong membership as an Episcopalian woman would continue. She visited St. John’s, which at the time was the only Episcopal church in the city. Helen Johnson’s lovely soprano voice rang clear and beautifully throughout the Sanctuary. Upon hearing this melodious voice, parishioners craned their necks to see where the sound came from. “On leaving the church, she was politely but definitely informed that the St. John’s congregation would prefer to have her worship the Lord elsewhere.” Mrs. Johnson carried her membership to Ebeneezer United Methodist Church.
It was not long after the incident with Mrs. Johnson that the Episcopal Church seriously addressed the issue of blacks in the Episcopal Church. Within that same year, the Rt. Rev. John Freeman Young, Bishop of the Diocese of Florida, ordained and installed the Rev. Joseph R. Love from the British West Indies as the first Negro Deacon at St. John's Church. Within another year, the time had come for a separate Episcopal Church to accommodate that growing populace of black Episcopalians. This growth followed the immigration pattern of British and Hispanic islanders from Key West to Jacksonville. These islanders readily came to Jacksonville to take jobs in hotels as the tourist trade was growing here. Many others were experienced in the tobacco industry and opened cigar and smoke shops. In about 1872, the Rev. Brook G. White, an inspired catalyst, and Bishop Young organized and established a mission of St. John's Church to serve the Black population. This mission became St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
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You can read more about the history and heritage of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on their website: https://stphilipsjax.org/history/. Today, our neighbors at St. Philip’s are in a prayerful period of discernment for the future of their congregation. For the next several months, clergy from St. John’s Cathedral will take turns serving as supply priests each Sunday. This Sunday, Dean Kate will be serving.
All are invited to explore the meaning of being a good neighbor by attending the Quiet Garden Morning this Saturday, January 14, and/or the Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch with is sponsored by the Sidney B Parker Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, which has its home at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. More information on each of these events follows.
~Nancy Purcell
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Who Is My Neighbor?
A Quiet Garden Morning
Saturday, January 14
9 to 11 a.m.
Cummings Chapel
offered by The Center for Prayer and Spirituality
In the season of Epiphany when the Holy is manifest in many showings, we will look at the question posed to Jesus, "who is my neighbor?" On Saturday morning, January 14 from 9 to 11 a.m., the Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera will lead us as we explore how our understanding of our neighbor shapes our prayer and our action.
In the spirit of Mr. Rogers perhaps you will wear a favorite sweater, or in the spirit of the muralist Banksy you will bring an image, or in the spirit of Jesus, you will bring a story about a neighbor. We will spend our time together reflecting on who was/is a neighbor to us, and how we have been neighbors to one another.
We will pray for the day's headlines and also for those whose news is more hidden. The morning will begin in Cummings Chapel and move throughout the gardens and campus. At the end of our time together, all are invited to join the Martin Luther King Jr Brunch in Taliaferro Hall. This brunch is being hosted by the Sidney B Parker Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). There will be food, music and a guest speaker.
All are welcome!
~The Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera
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Martin Luther King Day Brunch
Saturday, January 14
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taliaferro Hall
Sponsored by the Sidney B. Parker Chapter of the UBE
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Join us for a Martin Luther King Day Brunch with the Sidney B. Parker Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Facing Our Fears and Capturing Our Dreams is the theme. The keynote speaker is Dr. Geraldine Baker.
The event is free, but a reservation is required. Please call (904) 354-1053 to let us know you'll be there. Donations will be accepted at the door.
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Sunday, January 15, 2023
The Third Sunday after Epiphany
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Reverend Mark Anderson
9 a.m. Digital Disciples, Zoom
Our speaker will be Melissa Wyer, founding member of Digital Disciples, contemplative and friend leading a discussion called Sparking Gratitude: A Spiritual Show and Tell. The only preparation necessary is to bring something that sparks gratitude like an object, a pet or a memory. All are welcome!
9 a.m. The Un-Named Women
of the Gospels, Bernie Dooly Library
An in-person Bible study focusing on the un-named women in the Gospel whose faithful responses to Jesus impact the Kingdom narrative. This week we will look at Peter's mother-in-law in Mark 1: 29–34,
Matthew 8:14–17, Luke 4: 38-41
Led by the Rev. Eric Kahl.
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Reverend Mark Anderson
Offertory Anthem: Behold the Lamb of God (Messiah) G. F. Handel
The Cathedral Choir
10 a.m. Formation for Children and Youth
Birth to 3 years Hakimian Family Nursery
(Main Level-Cathedral House)
4 years - 2nd grade, Lower-level Classroom
(Downstairs-Cathedral House.)
3rd grade - 5th grade, Cummings Chapel
(Entrance to the Chapel-to the right of the pulpit.)
6th grade - High School, Undercroft Youth Room
(Entrance is to the left of the Lectern.)
All ages join the 10 a.m. service at the time of
the Peace.
*This service is live-streamed on our website and
YouTube channel.
1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Dean’s Garden
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Helpful Links
8:45 to 11:10 a.m. Hakimian Nursery Open
8:45 to Noon Cathedral Bookstore Open
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Apex Theater Studio presents
The Diary of Anne Frank
All are welcome to join us for this amazing show! Click the button below for tickets.
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Explore Hogans Creek with Groundwork Jax
Saturday, January 21
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Groundwork Jacksonville has been awarded a $5.85 million grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund to complete the design and permitting for the ecological restoration of Hogans Creek. You're invited to learn more about this transformational project.
- Preview precedent-setting restoration plans for Hogans Creek.
- View Hogans Creek first-hand on an urban hike led by Groundwork and see the challenges to making it happen.
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The morning will begin in Ingram Lounge. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your own water bottle. The $5 suggested donation given when registering will be given to Groundwork Jacksonville to help fund these efforts. Sign up today using the button below.
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CAP Sunday
Come celebrate the Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) next Sunday! The children from CAP will be performing several pieces during the 10 a.m. service. They will also have an art exhibition in Taliaferro Hall. Kimberly Hyatt will be in Ingram Lounge after the service as well. Come learn and hear about all what CAP is doing! CAP’s vision is for Northeast Florida to lead the nation in providing essential and accessible arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths.
Sunday, January 22 |10 a.m.
Cathedral Nave
Speaker & Lunch |11:30 a.m.
Ingram Lounge
CAP Exhibition | 11:30 a.m.
Taliaferro Hall
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Free Flower Arrangement Workshop
Start the New Year off by refreshing an old skill or learning a new one. You do not have to have any experience with flowers to attend.
Our flower chair, Martha Davis, will conduct a free demonstration workshop for arranging altar flowers. The workshop is free, but you must register no later than January 25.
Limited to 35 participants.
Saturday, January 28 |10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Holy Communion Chapel
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Annual Parish Meeting 2023
All are encouraged to attend our Parish Annual Meeting. This year the meeting will be held both in-person and virtually. We will keep the meeting time to one hour, so plan to join us! Lunch will be provided.
Sunday, February 5 | 11:30 a.m.
Taliaferro Hall
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Welcoming EPN
The Episcopal Parish Network will be hosting a major event March 9-11 at the Hyatt in downtown Jacksonville. Speakers such as Jon Meacham, Bishop Thabo Makgoba of South Africa and our own Mari Huraishi, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, will give keynote addresses. There are numerous workshops on church leadership and discipleship.
As the faithful from St. John’s Cathedral, you are welcome to attend. Registration is expensive due to the nature of the speakers recruited to be here, but it is well worth your time and investment. You can view the details of this conference by clicking the information button below. If you have questions about the conference, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Megan Cochran.
Wednesday, March 8-March 11 | Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel
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The Searcy Family Boy Scout Heritage |
In 1925 William H. Searcy took a course in Boy Scouting. William earned the prestigious Boy Scout Leader Silver Beaver award. Many years later, he remained active as a Scout Master and helped train other Scout Leaders. He and his wife Mildred I. Searcy had three sons, William H. Searcy, Jr., Howard L. Searcy, and John V. Searcy. Each son became an Eagle Scout, the highest honor.
The family heritage continued as John V. Searcy, a member of St. John’s Cathedral, lived his life according to the twelve Boy Scout Laws and Oath he learned as a young man. The laws and oath are appropriate for anyone to live by and may be found here. John and his wife Nina L. Searcy had two sons Kevin V. Searcy and David L. Searcy. Each son had a son, Christopher V. Searcy and John D. Searcy. These fathers and sons are all Eagle Scouts.
John and Nina’s daughter Jill S. Whipple, who is also a member of St. John’s Cathedral, is the mother of Luke V. Whipple. Luke had his Court of Honor here at St. John’s Cathedral on January 7, 2023. It’s been nearly 100 years since William H. Searcy took that Boy Scout course. He most likely could not have imagined that his participation in Boy Scouts would be the start of producing eight Eagle Scouts in the Searcy family.
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We had three beautiful baptisms this past Sunday. Welcome to the church Jesse, Shea and Irie! |
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The children always have such a lovely time visiting Deacon Linda and Father Mark in the cathedral! |
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Sunday, January 15
Dot Fentress, Addison Kline
Betty Ann McCarty
Wednesday, January 18
Maggie Craddock, Bruce Hardman
Thursday, January 19
Vernon Garrett, Doug Noble
Bill Speer, Zachary Usztok
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Friday, January 20
Lorraine Corey, Soleste Roberts
Saturday, January 21
Jackie Terry
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As a Christian community, we want to support you in every way possible. Our clergy and lay ministers visit hospitals, bless babies born and those that are dying, counsel the sick, and offer comfort in any way that we can. Please let us know what you need and how we can pray for you. Call the Church Office anytime (904) 356-5507 and ask for Pastoral Care. If you are calling after hours, just press 4, and your call will be routed to a member of the clergy. |
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