The First Years of the Parish
In the early 1940′s, Oreland was growing quickly, and Oliver Hart, then Bishop of Pennsylvania, requested that a survey be taken of Oreland families to see if there was enough interest to begin an Episcopal Mission in this area.
The first congregation of St. Philip-in-the-Fields. (ca. 1945)
The Construction of the Church
Following this, several meetings were held and those attending agreed to form a new mission. The first service was held in the Fire House on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, 1945. As interest and attendance grew, ground was purchased and an architect hired to design the first of a three building church complex. The first building, completed in 1946 and now our Parish House, was designed to be the Church, Sunday School, Parish House and Vicar’s living quarters.
Volunteers working to install windows of the Parish House.
Ground was broken for the new church in 1955 and it was specifically designed to include the beautiful stained glass windows donated from the Widener School for Crippled Children. The building was completed in 1956, and we officially became a Parish in 1957.
The Sanctuary shortly after it was finished. (ca. 1956)
Our Leaders
Since our beginning, we have been blessed with the services of six ministers and two curates. We feel truly blessed and pleased to welcome the Reverend Mother Robin Smith as St. Philip-in-the-Field’s seventh minister.