Beneath the University of Pennsylvania campus rests a beacon of faith. This is St Mary’s Episcopal Church. It stands as a testament to history and unwavering commitment.
St Mary’s Church began as a summer congregation. Philadelphians sought respite west of the Schuylkill River. It soon evolved into a year-round spiritual home.
The current St Mary’s building dates back to 1872. The parish hall was added in 1896. St Mary’s became a focal point for the Anglo-Catholic movement. The Rector and congregation ardently supported it.
St Mary’s Church played a crucial role in significant movements. These include African-American civil rights, the anti-war movement during the Vietnam era and women’s ordination within the Episcopal Church. It also championed the LGBTQ community’s fight for acceptance.
One former rector John Scott was quite the character. He famously performed an exorcism on Richard Nixon’s Philadelphia campaign headquarters. Scott also founded the Philadelphia Third Order Franciscans.
In the 1970s St Mary’s hosted the local chapter of IntegrityUSA. This was immediately after its founding. Seminarians often attended services here. This was before the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven. It was also before the eventual admission of women to the priesthood in 1976.
William Hamilton gifted the land to St Mary’s. The town was named after the Hamilton family. The church stands as a remnant of the Hamilton Village neighborhood. The University later subsumed it.
By 1871, the congregation of St Mary’s had grown. They needed a larger building. The present church was completed in 1873. It exemplifies the neo-Gothic style. This style dominated American church architecture for decades. The church has a cruciform shape. Its High Altar faces East toward Jerusalem.
In 1890, the sanctuary was redesigned. This accommodated an altar donated by William Henry Wetherill. The High Altar was designed by Rev. J. Bloomington Wetherill and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. It was originally intended as the Italian exposition piece for America’s Centennial in 1876. The reredos and altar feature a mosaic. Tiny pieces of Italian stone, marble, and pebbles form an intricate design. It depicts the Life, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ. Dr. Wetherill donated it as a memorial to his brother and mother.
During the Vietnam War, St Mary’s stood firm. It was a prophetic voice against war. It was also a sanctuary for young men. They conscientiously opposed military service.
St Mary’s has long championed civil rights. This includes rights for people of color, women and sexual minorities. The church supported inter-racial discussion groups. They fostered dialogue and change. St Mary’s hired openly gay clergy. Its previous Rector was an openly gay man. Its previous administrator was transgender.
Southeast Asian refugees settled in University City in the 1980s. St Mary’s pioneered a program. It provided education, health care, and social support.
Today, St Mary’s Episcopal Church continues to serve. It is a beacon of inclusivity and justice. It welcomes all to worship and belong. The Gatherings Concert Series is held in the sanctuary. St Mary’s Nursery School operates here. St Mary’s embodies its commitment to community, compassion, and faith.