About Saint Philip’s in the Hills

Throughout our history we have been part of so many events that have shaped our community for the better.

Saint Philip’s in the Hills is the largest Episcopal church in Arizona. We are known for outreach to the community, an outstanding music program, being a home for art and culture, and a history of active engagement in the life of the city. All of this has been done for the sake of knowing Christ and making Christ known. We have ways for those of all ages to grow in faith and to go deeper in their relationship with Christ. Faith, at Saint Philip’s, is the ongoing work of showing our love for God in our love for our neighbors.

An example of this outreach is our parishioners’ purchase, in July of 2020, of $4.1 million in medical debt in Pima and Pinal counties. This allowed families’ medical debt to be forgiven so they could make a new start during difficult times. A bit of that story can be found here.

Founded in 1936 in a partnership between John & Helen Murphey, Josias Joesler, and Fr George Ferguson we have been a key partner in the life and development of Tucson. We founded Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, which also now is home to Saint Michael’s School.

We also helped found Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church, which is home to a thriving pre-school and was critical in founding The Gregory School (formerly Saint Gregory’s). We founded Christ the King Episcopal Church, which is home to Interfaith Community Services that feeds and finds housing for those most in need in our community. 

We were part of founding Saint Luke’s Home, which began as a place for those of modest means to receive care as they aged. We helped found and provide leadership for Pima County Interfaith, which draws churches together from across the county to tackle our most intractable local issues like crime, homelessness, and poverty. PCI was crucial to establishing JobPath which helps those in need find quality employment and training.

We were part of the foundation of Imago Dei School, which continues to provide quality education to those most at need in our community. We provide crucial support to make ministry at the border happen to serve those seeking a better life. We have members who serve on countless non-profits across the city from Literacy Connects to the Community Food Bank to the Botanic Gardens and so many more.

We have been a critical partner in TIHAN and Tacheria, respectively providing care for those managing HIV/AIDS and those discerning how to care spiritually for folks across faith traditions. We have members serving on civic organizations devoted to historic preservation, community gardens, education, and environmental protection. We have a long connection to the University with former presidents and faculty among our members and many faculty and staff calling Saint Philip's home.

We used to run a music education after-school program and now send our members into schools to help form the next generation of local leaders. We have long offered concerts, lectures, community events, and been part of local celebrations and commemorations great and small.

We have offered interfaith opportunities for folks from across traditions to come together and learn from one another. We have been a home to countless 12-step and recovery programs, community classes, health initiatives, and more.

We have an art gallery, pottery studio, and are home to Catalina Hills Preschool and Kindergarten. We helped found the Campus Ministry at the University, which continues its work of creating a safe place for folks to find themselves and God. We started Beloved in the Desert which is devoted to helping young people live their faith and be ambassadors to our community on behalf of the Church.

We have baptized countless people into Christ. We have married more people that we can remember. We have buried those known to us and whose faith is known to Christ alone. We have confirmed, forgiven, blessed, and healed so many. We have offered Communion and Last Rites to friends, neighbors, strangers, and loved ones.

This is a community that is proud of its history and excited about the future. From generation to generation we have shared Christ’s love in this city and we are living into our call to gather in love, be transformed by grace, and go out to love and serve the Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Robert Hendrickson, Rector

What Next?

A Little History

Saint Philip’s was founded in 1936. When the first service was held on Christmas Eve, the congregation overflowed the seating capacity.  Built in the style Spanish Colonial architecture, also called Neo-Mission, Saint Philip’s is similar to the Franciscan mission churches built in California over 400 years ago.

Tucsonans John and Helen Murphey had asked architect Josias Joesler to build a private chapel for them at their home. Instead, he persuaded them to build a small church at the corner of two dirt roads: Campbell and River.

This was also a dream of Father George Ferguson, who was a temporary supply minister in Tucson. He envisioned a place where beauty dwelt, where the glory of God was exemplified, and where learning (for children, youth, and adults) was an ever-present part of people’s lives.

Although it has undergone several expansions as the congregation grew, the integrity of Joesler’s design has been maintained in the buildings. In the mid-1980s, an art gallery, a memorial garden, the east and west transepts and a campanile, which houses the carillon, were added. During the summer of 1998, a Children’s Center and Recital Hall were built.

Saint Philip’s is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Our self-guided walking tour contains more information about Saint Philip’s and its history.