St. Philip's Episcopal Church traces its origins to 1868, when the Reverend T. H. N. Gerry organized a Black Episcopal congregation known as St. Mark's. With the death of Rev. Gerry a year later, the congregation disbanded. After a hiatus of twenty years, former members were spurred to revive the congregation by the arrival in St. Paul of Mrs. Elizabeth Tibbs, originally from Baltimore. Mrs. Tibbs and others petitioned the Bishop for the establishment of a mission in the Black community in St. Paul. Doubtful of the viability of such a mission, approval for the venture was not granted until 1894. On May 1st of that year (the feast of St. Philip), St. Philip's mission was organized by Archdeacon Appleby.
In 1905 the congregation purchased its first church building, which was destroyed in 1954 to make way for the present facility. The year 1905 also saw the appointment of St. Philips' first full time priest, Alfred H. Lealtad. Following Lealtad's retirement in 1934 the parish was served by the following priests: Edward James (1935-1938), Victor Holley (1938-1944), Llewellyn Williams (1944-1950), Denzil Carty (1950-1975), Phillip Jones and Jeannette Piccard (1975-1977), Chester Talton (1977-1981), David Weaver (1981-1983), Thomas Logan (1983-1987), Christopher Laing (1987-1990), and Melvin Turner (1990-).
From the guide to the Records., 1900-1995 (bulk 1976-1995)., (Minnesota Historical Society)
