History of St. Stephen's Episcopal

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HISTORY of ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HARRISBURG

The first entries in this chronology -- shaded gray -- refer to an earlier Episcopal presence in Harrisburg: St. Philip's Mission.

1907 -

First records of an Episcopal congregation in Harrisburg.

1910 -

A small church built at Harrisburg will be known as St. Philip's Mission. The land was cleared and the building erected and painted by coal miners, who were attached to the Church and who were idle due to a strike in the mines at this time. Many of the building materials were donated.

1924 -

St. Philip's Mission is formally organized.

1957 -

St. Philip's Mission closed due to shortage of clergy and dwindling membership.

1978 -

Harrisburg Episcopal Association formed.

1980 -

Mission is admitted into the Diocese of Springfield and renamed St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Services were held at 10 East Ogara Street. Parishioners bought their own pews from a church in Galatia that was closing. Parishioners also bought their own prayer books and hymnals.

1999 -

Old Carnegie Library came up for sale, and Library Board awards bid to the Harrisburg Episcopal Association. Ogara Street building sold.

Building consecrated.

Services first held in old Carnegie Library.

2007 -

Payments on mortgage completed and mortgage burned.

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Last updated April 9, 2008