LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 111th Anniversary of St.
Philip's Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
111th Anniversary of St. Philip's Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, In honor of this most auspicious occasion, the Senior Choir
will present Handel's "Messiah" Parts II and III on Sunday, May 2, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, St. Philip's Episcopal Church was founded in 1899, and held
its first service in a vacant store at 1887 Pacific Avenue in the Weeks-
ville area of Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Soon after, a church site at 1610 Dean Street was acquired;
membership in the mission chapel quickly rose to 500 people, many of
whom had roots in Virginia, North Carolina and the Caribbean, and the
parishioners began programs and activities which appealed to community
residents; and
WHEREAS, Many of these particular programs and activities created
include: the first charter for a Black chapter of the Brotherhood of St.
Andrew that was issued to St. Philip's in 1903; the first Black company
of the United Boys Brigade, a forerunner of the Boy Scouts, was char-
tered in 1907; and one of the earliest Boy Scout charters given to any
organization was granted to St. Philip's in 1921; and
WHEREAS, St. Philip's attained parish status in 1926; in 1944, it
moved to its present building, a neo-Gothic edifice accommodating 900
people which was designed by Arni Delhi in 1899 for Good Shepherd Epis-
copal Church; it is located in the Stuyvesant Heights Historical
District and was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation
Commission in 1971; and
WHEREAS, In 1945, the Stuyvesant Community Center was established in
the adjoining parish house, becoming the first community center in
Bedford-Stuyvesant run by and for Blacks; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the faithful leadership of Reverend Carver W.
Israel, St. Philip's continues to provide leadership in the religious,
social, cultural and economic life of the community; and
WHEREAS, St. Philip's Episcopal Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 111th Anniversary of St. Philip's Episcopal Church of
Brooklyn, New York, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the
belief in those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Carver W. Israel, Rector, St. Philip's Episcopal
Church of Brooklyn, New York.