St Stephen's

After nearly two centuries, St. Stephens retains its commitment to serve the diverse and dynamic urban community in its Center City neighborhood. In February 1958, 135 years after its founding, Rector Alfred W. Price preached a sermon in which he said, If you ask me what I think is the happiest thing about this dear old place, I would say it is the... way that people use it without any self-consciousness, without any embarrassmentSomehow they all seem to feel and know, thank God, that this is Gods House and that they are welcome here.” Alfred Prices words from sixty years ago continue to hold great currency. St. Stephens remains a sacred place of beauty and serenity that is open to all people, a gathering place that, with its worship, its visual art, and its performing arts offerings, welcomes pilgrims of all kinds who seek an intimate space in which they can experience God and find care for their spirit. All through our history we have been a pioneering sort of place. We have been blazing new trails in our forms of service... We have always tried to speak a language that people could understand, tried to meet people not where we think they ought to be, but where they really are! ”Read More