Southport Magazine

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church turns 250!
Story by Kass Fincher
If you make a practice of walking the quiet streets of Southport, most days on the hour you will hear the carillon of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church bring the melodies of familiar hymns to our community. Walking past the church on Moore Street, one can also observe the labyrinth, made with bricks donated by members of the church, where a sense of calm can center your spirit on a busy day.

This month the church is celebrating its 250th anniversary, a testament to its staying power through many years of much change. In fact, today the Chapel of the Cross displays the seven different political flags under which parishioners have worshiped – England, Spain, Grand Union, North Carolina, Betsy Ross, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America.
Tommy Harrelson, who is spearheading the 250th anniversary celebration, describes some of the plans they are making for the weekend of May 18-20. “Our church, like most of the Episcopal churches in this area, started in Brunswick Town,” he says. “On Friday evening, May 18, we’re going to have a simple service at the ruins in Brunswick Town, sharing some of the history there, with a reception afterward. The next day, Saturday, we will have a service at the Chapel of the Cross here in Southport. Both services will go back in time to celebrate previous worship traditions. Chuck Pollock, our church historian, who is very knowledgeable about the history of the church, and Jim McKee (head of Brunswick Town) will speak at each event. On Sunday, we’ll have one combined service in the sanctuary here in Southport at 10:30 a.m. with music, and afterwards we’ll enjoy a barbecue picnic on the grounds. We’re just hoping for good weather!”
St. Philip’s website shares more about the history of the church. The original parish was built in 1741 in Brunswick Town. When Spanish privateers attacked and captured the Port of Brunswick, the parish was held for several days. In 1760, as a new church was being constructed, Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs designated St. Philip’s Church as His Majesty’s Chapel in North Carolina. It was completed in 1768 and served Brunswick Town until it was burned by the British in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. Honoring the first church, part of the original building still stands in Brunswick Town.
Despite its burning, the church relocated to Southport and continued to thrive. According to local research, Fort Johnston’s commander – Colonel Thomas Childs – wanted a church to serve the fort and used his soldiers to build it, right across the street. That first church building here in Southport was erected in 1843.
When Confederate forces evacuated Fort Johnson in 1865, the church was seized and occupied by Union forces. They used it as a hospital for their wounded, and later as a school for African-American children. In the late 1870s, the troops at Fort Johnston helped in acquiring a new communion table, alms basin, lectern and organ for the church.
The church prospered over the years, and in 2003 they began construction on the current St. Philip’s Episcopal Church building, which the congregation enjoys today. The old building was renamed “Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip’s” in honor of its original name in Brunswick Town.
Today the thriving church has over 500 members, and offers outreach programs ranging from mission funds to a diaper ministry. Lorraine Beamer, administrator for the church, describes some of them. “We tend to stay very local,” she says. “We’re involved in Street Reach, an amazing organization. We participate in a winter outreach here in town, where the churches get together, pick a week and provide a hotel and food for anyone who needs somewhere warm to stay. We also go every Monday to Carillon Homes, where we offer a nice meal and chat for anyone who wants to come.”
With the help of several volunteers, Beamer’s busy jack-of-all-trades position has her doing all kinds of support services – the website, email, bulletins, membership and contribution records and schedules for the priests – Canon James Hanisian and Father T.J. Tetzlaff.
Coming from Kentucky, Father Tetzlaff and his wife (also a priest, in Wilmington) arrived less than a year ago. He appreciates the fact that many in his congregation have great life experiences and wish to give something back through community service. He also knows that many interested visitors to the church come from backgrounds different from the Episcopal Church, so one of his primary focuses is teaching newcomers’ classes. He also speaks about the role of the church in reaching out beyond the membership. “The homeless ministry is close to my heart,” he relates. “In fact, the Chapel doors are always open; occasionally we find people sleeping there because they have nowhere else to go. We try to help them find the services they need.”
As for the Sunday worship services, two options offer different experiences for the congregation. The 8:00 a.m. service is traditional, without music. The 10:30 a.m. service offers music and what Beamer calls “a fabulous choir who will give you goosebumps.” She emphasizes that the church wants everyone to feel welcome and to experience the peace and community within. It’s a testament to the resolve of St. Philip’s people that, despite a long history of attacks and capture, this church has found a way to overcome those who tried to shut it down. Today St. Philip’s Episcopal opens its doors to all, inviting us to join them in worship and ministries in our community.