Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church – New York, NY – Harlem One Stop

Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church

Central Harlem

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Since 1809, St. Philip’s Church-through its clergy and congregation, its tradition and service, its goals and dreams-has been an institution of major spiritual and civic importance in the Harlem community.

The current building is the fourth home of the parish. St. Philip’s has been located in the first communities of African American New York residents. Its first two sites were on Centre Street. In 1822, a brick building replaced the original wood frame church damaged by fire. This same building would undergo two more reconstructions. In 1834, irate whites vandalized the church and in 1863, New York City police used the church as a barrachs for militia and police handling draft riots. By 1886 the church was located on 25th Street. Continuing the tradition of previous generations, St. Philip’s utilized the services of African American professionals to locate property, design, and build a new church in 1910 on 134th Street.

The present church building is a New York City Designated Landmark. It was designed in neo-Gothic style by the firm of Tandy & Foster under the direction of the first African American licensed as an architect in New York. St. Philip’s Church is also included in the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

Sites & Attractions: Churches
Sites & Attractions
Central Harlem