[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 150TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING SERVICE FOR ST. PHILIP'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
storied institution of faith in the Third Congressional District. This 
year, St. Philip's Episcopal Church is celebrating its 150th 
anniversary, and I would like to take a moment to reflect on the 
history of this esteemed church and its contributions to the greater 
Richmond community.
  St. Philip's Episcopal Church was founded in 1861 as a mission of St. 
James Church by freemen/women and indentured servants of Virginia 
aristocrats and landowners. The congregation flourished during the 
following four years and provided a number of services to its members, 
including a school. Unfortunately, at the end of the Civil War in 1865, 
St. Philip's physical structure was destroyed in what the church 
describes as ``mysterious circumstances.'' The church persevered in 
spite of its overwhelming loss and continued to congregate in the homes 
of its members. In 1869, with the support of the Diocese of Virginia, 
St. James Church and the family of J.E.B. Stuart, the church was able 
to rebuild its physical structure.
  In 1920, the church became a self-supporting Parish and since then 
has ventured to serve God, the community and the world. Over the years, 
they have been involved in various service projects including St. 
Francis Pantry, Girl Scouts, and Narcotics Anonymous. They have also 
been involved with Caritas, a volunteer organization providing food and 
shelter for the homeless, and Modern Maturity, an outreach program with 
a focus on providing recreation and fellowship for individuals who are 
at home during the day.
  Today, St. Philip's prevails as the oldest and largest of the seven 
predominantly African-American congregations in the Diocese of 
Virginia. It also has the distinction of being the sixth oldest 
historically African American congregation in the Episcopal Church and 
was the first to.be founded in the South. Currently, St. Philip's 
consists of nearly 230 members.
  As St. Philip's Episcopal Church gathers to celebrate this historic 
milestone, the church can truly remember its past, celebrate its 
present, and focus on the future as it continues ``Celebrating, Living, 
Dreaming.'' I would like to congratulate Rev. Phoebe Roaf and all of 
the members of the St. Philip's Episcopal Church on the occasion of 
their 150th Anniversary. I wish them many more years of dedicated 
service to the community.

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