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Founded in 1868, our
parish began after the Reverend Phillip Brooks, rector of the
Church of the Holy Trinity, and others envisioned a way to
make the church more accessible to people who were building
neighborhoods southwest of center city. The Church of the
Holy Apostles was the name selected by the vestry of the new
church. George C. Thomas, a vestryman who was to lead the
parish to great prominence in the Episcopal Church, was made
Accounting Warden and Superintendent of the Sunday school.
There have always been two
major emphases running throughout the church’s history:
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The Parish has always
been distinguished for its work with children and young
people. Beginning with the leadership of George Thomas, the
Sunday School became known throughout the Diocese and
beyond.
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Secondly, the parish is
the result of zealous men and women who devoted themselves
to evangelism and the missionary initiative.
That same zeal established
the Mother Church, Holy Apostles and three chapels: Holy
Communion, which upon consolidating here in 1995, the original
building was transferred to
St. Philip’s Parish; St. Simon the Cyrenian, which became an independent parish in 1944, and The
Mediator. On June 4th, 1944, the Mother Church,
Holy Apostles and its largest chapel, The Mediator, formally
merged to become the Church of the Holy Apostles and the
Mediator. During the 1940’s and 50’s the parish flourished.
In 1957, ground was broken
for the fourth chapel of the parish,
Holy Apostles Penn Wynne.
Following its long tradition of providing Church where the
people have need, the church edifice was built and consecrated
in 1958. By the mid-sixties, the Chapel of Holy Apostles, Penn
Wynne became an independent church.
In 1966, Reverend John H.
Bomberger retired from the Church of the Holy Apostles and the
Mediator. Reverend David Hyatt became the rector in 1967 and
continued to serve until 1974. The majority of neighborhood
and racial changes occurred during the eight years Rev. Hyatt
served as rector. He was a strong advocate of civil rights and
often voiced his concerns from the pulpit. Father Hyatt
continued the tradition of active involvement in the
neighborhood civic association and activity for youth. During
his tenure, father Hyatt’s accomplishments included the 100th
Anniversary Celebration of the church, installation of the
church Tower Lights, the organization of a church baseball
team, and production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 1975, Reverend Stephen
Billings became the 10th rector of Holy Apostles. Father
Billings’ strong suits were pastoral care and counseling. He
encouraged our parish to reach out to persons in the community
with special needs. As a former member of the Yale University
Choir, he bolstered Holy Apostles’ already rich sound. Father
Billings introduced the New Book of Common Prayer, the 1982
Hymnal, and Vacation Bible School. He introduced the
University City Montessori School and continued the Drama
offerings with the Church School production of Godspell.
Father Billings resigned in 1993 to become Director of
Chapliancy Services for Episcopal Community Services.
With the installation of
Reverend Carver W. Israel in 1997, the parish has returned to
its roots of deepening each parishioner’s relationship with
God through Christian Service. A number of organizations that
relied on outward participation, as well as an inner
conversion of spirit towards God have been reborn. Father
Israel is a “parish” priest, and seeks to find in every
parishioner how the Lord will do his will with a listening and
discerning heart. At the center of his teaching is earnest
Bible Study, Christian Education through Sunday School and
programs which emphasize children’s ministries in the church.
In 2007, Father Israel resigned to become rector of St.
Philips Brooklyn, NY.
The History of the Church
of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator continues to be written
each day. What gift has the Lord given you to share and how
will you help re-write history?
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