A Word From the Headm aster
70 years of St. Philip’s School and Community Center. Under God. Indivisible. S
eventy years ago, a small group of Black Episcopalians stepped
A mighty work is unfolding
out under God’s faithfulness. They petitioned the mostly White
here at 1600 Pennsylvania
Episcopalians here in Dallas with their desire to establish a
Avenue in Dallas! I find the
church here in South Dallas. In many ways, this petition was
most impressive factor of St. Philip’s to be the legion of believers
an examination of the soul of the church. During that era of
who are also “Under God” and choose to compassionately serve
bigotry and racism, courage went on a crusade. Together, Blacks
and support this ministry. They are volunteers, trustees, faculty,
and Whites launched a ministry under God’s divine design – a
staff, and sacrificial parents. They are donors and ambassadors.
ministry that would grow into what we know today as St. Philip’s
They are senior citizens and youth. They are all of the people who
School and Community Center. St. Philip’s has been a true
have made it possible for St. Philip’s to bless lives for over seventy
demonstration that great success is a reflection of commitment
years with full embrace of God’s power and presence. As you
and collaboration.
peruse this anniversary edition of our 1600 Magazine, give all praise to what is happening through you“Under God!”
In 1954, nearly a decade after St. Philip’s Church was formed, our country also took a bold step that would greatly impact
Blessings,
American children for generations. The Pledge of Allegiance that all school children had been reciting since 1892, was changed for the third and final time. The pledge changed through the addition of two words – “Under God.” This modification encountered
Dr. Terry J. Flowers
controversy, but it soon emerged as an accepted practice for daily recitation in schools. Fast forward to today where the concept of “Under God” is being attacked on many levels, especially in schools. St. Philip’s is blessed to boldly be A SCHOOL, still UNDER GOD. This veil is also present in the operations of our Community Center. Hearing our students proclaim “It’s okay to pray AND make an A” and watching our athletic teams gather in a circle for prayer before their games, affirms God’s reign over the St. Philip’s ministry.
www.stphilips1600.org
SPRING MAGAZINE 2016
5
