On April 1, 1901, Lillian and A.H. Henderson, in their home, hosted the funeral of Hulda Abrams, a 29-year-old friend who, three days earlier, had died in Chicago. Hulda, elsewhere described as an orphan, had lived in Indianapolis and Cincinnati and was a friend of the Hendersons. A lifelong philanthropist, Lillian had been an active supporter of the orphanage for African-American children in Cincinnati.

Two weeks later, twenty-five African-Americans again gathered in the home of Lillian and A.H. Henderson to organize St. Philip's Episcopal Mission. Those who gathered were young and old; lifelong residents and newcomers to the city; doctors, barbers, musicians, educators, and more. They were community leaders; many were already working to build transformative Black institutions like Flanner House and the Senate Avenue YMCA. Some were Episcopalians, and some were not. Among them was William Fielding, who a few years earlier had helped to organize and lead another historically Black Episcopal church: St. Andrew’s, Cincinnati.

In the early years, St. Philip’s gathered on Sundays in the Chapel of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and was served by St. Paul’s rector, the Rev. Lewis Brown, who had also presided at Hulda’s funeral. Between Sundays, church members met for worship, study, and other events in members’ homes. From the beginning, the leaders of St. Philip’s understood that they were building a new Episcopal congregation in the heart of Black Indianapolis that would be led by members of that community. Fannie Lanier, a prominent musician in the city, organized the choir that quickly earned a reputation for excellence. William Fielding, who had been a licensed lay reader in Cincinnati, provided that same leadership at St. Philip’s, and he was joined in that role by Julius Cox, who in 1906 would become the first person of color ordained in the Episcopal Church in the state of Indiana.

The church grew dramatically in its first years, confirming more new members than almost any other congregation in the Diocese of Indianapolis. In 1905, St. Philip’s members laid the cornerstone for a new church building at 702 N. West Street, just north of Indiana Avenue and the future site of the Madam Walker Theatre. The project was supported by member contributions, community fundraisers, gifts from friends of the congregation, and a loan from the Church Building Corporation. The church moved into its new home in 1907, and St. Philip’s has been on the same historic block ever since. In 1913, the church repaid its loan in full; called the Rev. Arthur H. Maloney, an Afro-Carribean priest from Trinidad, to be its first full-time clergy person; and was finally admitted by the diocese as an organized mission.

In the early 20th century, Indiana Avenue was the “Broadway of Black Indianapolis” and served as a cultural center for the city. African-American owned businesses, churches, newspapers, and organizations thrived and St. Philip’s members were woven into the fabric of the community. They managed the Indianapolis Freeman and helped charter the Negro National League. They organized, led, and benefited from the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA across the street. Under the leadership of Faburn DeFrantz, the Monster Meetings of the Senate Avenue YMCA became “a vanguard for change in the city and the state.”

This resilient leadership came amid the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, movements to further segregate African-Americans in the state, and - in the church - reluctance to afford autonomy to Black-led institutions. After DeFrantz’s personal appeal to the Bishop of Indianapolis, the diocese publicly condemned the Klan in 1923. Following the departure of Rev. Maloney in 1922, the diocese returned St. Philip’s to “unorganized mission” status, diminishing its influence on diocesan governance despite having a larger congregation and budget than many other “organized missions.” In 1928, the Rev. Royal Hoagland, then vicar of St. Philip’s, and thirty other individuals elected to join the African Orthodox Church, a new Anglican movement that offered Black Episcopalians an opportunity to lead and serve at all levels of church governance.

The mid-20th century brought change to the neighborhood as commercial development grew, housing restrictions eased across the city, and government leaders moved to build universities in St. Philip’s historic neighborhood. As housing and food insecurity became significant challenges for neighborhood residents, St. Philip’s worked to address these needs with community partners. A feeding ministry that included a food pantry and hot meals during the week was a staple for years. In the early 1980s, the church helped to create Goodwin Plaza, an affordable housing complex that allowed longtime residents the ability to retire in the neighborhood. In 1986, St. Philip’s moved into its current building at 720 Dr. MLK St, half a block north of its original site and next door to Goodwin Plaza.

Today, as Purdue University becomes our newest neighbor along Indiana Avenue, St. Philip’s is growing its investment in young adult and college ministry. Just as our founding members were a mix of young and old, Episcopalian and not, native Hoosiers and recent transplants, the same is true of us today. With deep roots, we are stewards of the memory of the neighborhood our ancestors called home. With deep love, we warmly welcome a new generation of neighbors into this historic church family.