Share a story
The Episcopal Parish of St. Philip the Evangelist was founded in 1907. It is the oldest African-American parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and one of the oldest to be found West of the Mississippi. Since its founding, the neighborhood surround the parish has changed, and now includes a large number of Spanish-speaking immigrant families. Since the 1980's, there have been two masses on Sunday mornings: a Spanish liturgy at 9:00 AM, and an English liturgy at 10:30 AM. The church describes itself as "One congregation speaking two languages".
The church building dates to 1928 and its interior is beautiful, reflecting thoughtful design and furnishing. Over many decades, parish families have contributed beautiful stained glass windows. Its music is anchored by a Skinner organ, modified to support congregational singing. The current style of worship in the 10:30 mass is reflective of an Anglican tradition; since a good many families attending this service come from Anglican communities in Belize and Jamaica.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers are welcome to participate in the parish's twice-monthly food pantry grocery distribution program, as well as its twice-monthly Cafe del Rey sit-down, served meal program.
Ministries
St. Philip's Food Pantry
On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except July and August) from 7:30 - 8:30 AM, St. Philip's provides distribution of staple groceries to anyone in the neighborhood who needs food. The pantry receives primarily EFAP food from Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The pantry serves approximately 70 families each month, consisting of about 350 unduplicated individuals. The pantry is run entirely by a crew of committed volunteers. The pantry's hours are timed to coincide with the arrival of parents dropping off their children at the elementary school located across the street from the parish hall. When school is on vacation during summer months, the pantry is closed, since the numbers of families seeking food assistance tends to be much lower.
Cafe del Rey at St. Philip's
Since mid-March 2012, Cafe del Rey has provided a cafe-style, served hot meal to anyone in the neighborhood who wishes to come. Food for each Cafe is prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen which is part of the church's parish hall. Approximately 40-60 individuals come to the Cafe; of those, approximately 25-30% are children under the age of 14. Besides a healthy, delicious meal (designed to be a mid-day main meal), guests may also select items from "La Tienda", which offers good used clothing and shoes, personal care products, and children's books. No charge is made for the meal or for any La Tienda items.
The Cafe is organized and staffed entirely by volunteers; its budget for food and supplies comes from individual gifts, small grants and contributions from local businesses. All food and food preparation for the second Cafe each month is provided by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glendale, CA, which has partnered with St. Philip's on this program since 2013.
Besides serving Cafe guests, approximately 10 servings of Cafe food are sent to a nearby program located in the church's Rectory; "Dream Haven" offers affordable housing to students who are either recipients of DACA immigration status or who are part of the Guardian Scholar's Program (students who would have termed out of the County Foster Care Program but who receive limited subsidies to attend college). Since all Cafe cooking is done "Just in Time", any leftovers from the Cafe are transported to a nearby social service program, Amistad de Los Angeles, a residential program serving people recovering from substance abuse who have recently been released from jail or prison. Amistad's kitchen enjoys integrating the Cafe's food into its own on-site meals program, and it means that no Cafe food ever goes to waste.
2800 Stanford Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011
United States
Contact
