Episcopal Diocese of Washington Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, led a solemn procession down the center aisle at St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church on Nov. 3, marking the beginning of the final service at the Southeast D.C. parish, after more than a century of ministry.
Long-time members invited family, friends and guests to reflect on countless sermons, weddings, baptisms, and funerals held in the church. However, the joyful memories were tinged with sadness as the congregation prepared to say goodbye to their cherished place of worship.
“We’re here today, St. Philip, to share the smiles, the joy, and to celebrate you,” preached the Rev. Caron A. Gwynn. “St. Philip, we’re here to give thanks to God for you and for your legacy of 137 years.”
The Storied History of St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church
Historical documents show that St. Philip the Evangelist was established in 1888 in Anacostia by a small group of predominantly white Episcopalians who initially worshiped in the basement of a house on Howard Road SE.
By 1889, they had rented a room and later relocated to Nichols Avenue (now Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue), where they added a sanctuary with an altar and stained-glass windows. Over the years, the church grew in membership, furnishings, and community outreach programs.
In 1977, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington purchased the former Anacostia United Methodist Church, built in 1899, at 1345 U Street SE.
This location became the new home of St. Philip’s, which achieved parish status in 2002.
A Nationwide Trend of Church Closures
The closure of St. Philip reflects a broader trend of church shutdowns, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Religious News Service, more than 100,000 churches are expected to close this year.
The Congress for the New Urbanism Journalism describes this wave as a “tsunami,” with empty places of worship seen across the U.S., cutting across denominations and regions.
St. Philip the Evangelist faced similar challenges, with a dwindling congregation and insufficient funds for essential building maintenance.
“We just can’t afford the upkeep the building needs, such as a new roof and a new HVAC system,” said Kay Pierson, who as a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s subcommittee on Black ministries, said the church had $2 million worth of repairs to tackle and “maybe 20 members” worshipping in service “on a good day.”
Moreover, after the diocesan subcommittee had an assessment done of the Southeast, D.C. building, contractors noted the sanctuary was deemed as unsafe for in-person worship.
While Sunday, Nov. 3, was the last official church service, Pierson told The Informer, “There’s still some things that need to be done to officially close the church,” such as the stripping of the altar.
“It was heartbreaking to see them close. So in order to prevent other churches from meeting that same fate, we’re putting together a consortium of Black churches in Southeast, so they can work together to stay open, serve their communities, and serve God.”
A Final Goodbye and the End of Outreach Programs
The church’s closure means the end of its beloved community outreach programs, which included a clothing boutique, computer classes, a food distribution center, after-school activities, and a senior citizens’ program. However, the Child Development Center, which serves more than 30 children, will continue operating in an adjacent building.
At the close of the final service, members presented hymnals, Bibles, the keys to St. Philip’s, and the parish registers to Bishop Budde.
“Many have worshiped here. Many have been empowered for ministry in this holy space,” Gwynn and the Rev. William Lewis said as they passed the registers. “With the passing of these registers, we send the people of this parish out to new ministries in new places in this Diocese and beyond.”
After the service, the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall for food, refreshments, and photos before parting ways.
A congregant told The Informer she wasn’t sure where she would worship since St. Philip’s closing.
“This was my church. I may not join another church. I will probably continue to worship at home.”
St. Philip’s members have been encouraged to worship with another nearby Episcopal church community, Holy Communion on Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue SE.
“I hope that the majority of the congregation at St. Philip’s will continue to worship with Holy Communion,” Pierson told The Informer.
It was a wonderful Parish to visit!! So enjoyed knowing and working with the Andersons. Marilyn Meek
Ahh the memories, from Shannon Pl. to the final location!
I had no idea it closed until recently. Wonder what will happen to cross Grand dad and Gran donated.