Downtown Landmark Churches: St. Philips Episcopal

[Metro Jacksonville]

Downtown Landmark Churches:  St. Philips Episcopal



This small but important church has a unique place in Jacksonville's History. It was the first African American Episcopal Church in the city, for one. Its founder, Freeman Young, was a character who stepped straight out of the adventure tales of the 19th Century, and its designer was none other than Henrietta Dozier, Jacksonville's fabled Great Lady of Architecture, whose career stood as a testament both to her character and to the character of the city that welcomed her.

Join us as we discuss the history of this incredible symbol of Jacksonville's liberal and sometimes startling past, and see the church in person in DVI's Downtown Historic Church Tour 2009.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-downtown-landmark-churches-st-philips-episcopal

[Wacca Pilatka]

Thank you for posting this fascinating history.  I didn't even know that Henrietta Dozier was the architect.

[coredumped]

I'm very excited for the church tour. I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for the banner running across this site - good job!

[thelakelander]

Here are some extra images from Metro Jacksonville's 2007 DT historic church tour.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-dec-downtown-historic-church-tour

[GideonGlib]

If nothing else, we Episcopalians are good at building pretty churches. Good article.

[chris farley]

John Freeman Young interests me.  He was made Bishop of Florida in 1867 and immediately when he arrived here from New York he started on a plan to build small rural churches.  He was a disciple of Richard Upjohn, an Englishman who came to America c 1833.  Upjohn was hired to restore Trinity Church in lower Manhattan but in the end the church was razed and he designed a new one = the current one.  Young came to know of Upjohn when he was attached to Trinity.  Upjohn’s Carpenter Gothic Church style was used by Young  and he built or caused to be built  17 of them.  There are books on this style including one telling the story of the 17 (one stands in Fletcher park now) it is entitled St. Dunstan’s and St. John.
Young and his wife are buried in the Old City Cemetery.  Emily Lisska of the JHS had them restored at her own expense. There is a web by Bill Egan (of West Palm Beach I believe) which tells the story of Young - it states:

Egan also noted that while the graves of Mohr and Gruber are the site of annual Christmas services, the grave of Bishop Young is virtually unvisited. He wrote "While Christmas pilgrims flock to the well-kept graves of Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber, the Austrian originators of the world's best-loved carol, Bishop Young's final resting place has been neglected and ignored by people in Jacksonville and the Episcopal Church."
He added that for the past two years, greens were placed on Young's monument in Jacksonville during the Christmas season by a representative of the Silent Night Society of Salzburg, Austria. End quote

So last year a group of us led by Shannon Palmer and including Egan went to  Young’s grave to sing Silent Night and other carols.  Egan - with guitar- sang it as it was originally done.

There was a small Mission built on Hubbard Street in 1886, it became part of a house, we tried to save it last year.  The congregation left this Mission (a St. John's Sunday School originally) and built their new church at 9th and Laura.  This is the last known small church built inUpjohns's Gothic style.  The author of St. Dunstan's and St John was at the carol sing last year but he is disappointed at what has been done to the interior of St. Marys

[Wacca Pilatka]

John Freeman Young interests me.  He was made Bishop of Florida in 1867 and immediately when he arrived here from New York he started on a plan to build small rural churches.  He was a disciple of Richard Upjohn, an Englishman who came to America c 1833.  Upjohn was hired to restore Trinity Church in lower Manhattan but in the end the church was razed and he designed a new one = the current one.  Young came to know of Upjohn when he was attached to Trinity.  Upjohn’s Carpenter Gothic Church style was used by Young  and he built or caused to be built  17 of them.  There are books on this style including one telling the story of the 17 (one stands in Fletcher park now) it is entitled St. Dunstan’s and St. John.
Young and his wife are buried in the Old City Cemetery.  Emily Lisska of the JHS had them restored at her own expense. There is a web by Bill Egan (of West Palm Beach I believe) which tells the story of Young - it states:

Egan also noted that while the graves of Mohr and Gruber are the site of annual Christmas services, the grave of Bishop Young is virtually unvisited. He wrote "While Christmas pilgrims flock to the well-kept graves of Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber, the Austrian originators of the world's best-loved carol, Bishop Young's final resting place has been neglected and ignored by people in Jacksonville and the Episcopal Church."
He added that for the past two years, greens were placed on Young's monument in Jacksonville during the Christmas season by a representative of the Silent Night Society of Salzburg, Austria. End quote

So last year a group of us led by Shannon Palmer and including Egan went to  Young’s grave to sing Silent Night and other carols.  Egan - with guitar- sang it as it was originally done.

There was a small Mission built on Hubbard Street in 1886, it became part of a house, we tried to save it last year.  The congregation left this Mission (a St. John's Sunday School originally) and built their new church at 9th and Laura.  This is the last known small church built inUpjohns's Gothic style.  The author of St. Dunstan's and St John was at the carol sing last year but he is disappointed at what has been done to the interior of St. Marys

Thank you for all this information.  This is amazing to read.

[Omarvelous09]

Good article. My Mother's family has attended St. Philips since the 20's...and its good to see someone recognize it's importance.

[chris farley]

Sorry the book title is St. Dinstans & John, by Charles Pattillo.  He is a member of St John's Cathedral

[Ocklawaha]

Another interesting story from the Episcopal folks in Florida. During the war of Yankee aggression John J. Dickison raised a company of cavalry for the Confederacy. Based in Waldo, the 2ND Florida became distinguished in battle and later as a legend of the State of Florida and of the War. "Dixie," as he was called by the Yankees, was from Connecticut. At the battle of Braddocks Farm (Volusia County), Dixie's boys jumped a Federal raiding party's wagon train. The Federals were no match for the Swampers and quickly surrendered. Dickison, heard the sound of fast approaching horses and he wheeled around to see the Federal commander, one Col. Wilcoxon, bearing down on him with pistol drawn and in a full charge.

Capt. J.J. Dickison heard of these raids and set out to end them. With  approximately 50 men, he caught up with Wilcoxson and the 17th CT  Infantry as they were leaving Braddock's farm with ten wagons loaded with Cotton and other confiscated items. Dickison's troops caught the 17th CT off guard, and a quick, but decisive battle ensued. When Wilcoxson realized he was under attack, he drew is pistol and began firing from horseback. When his bullets were exhausted, he drew his sword and charged Capt. Dickison. Dickison drew his pistol and shot Wilcoxson from his horse. This brief, but fiery skirmish resulted in no Confederate casualties, but the Union lost four men. After the fight,  Dickison approached Wilcoxson, lying on the ground, and asked why he had charged. Wilcoxson simply said, "Don't blame yourself, you are only doing your duty as a soldier. I alone am to blame".  Approximately eight Federals escaped into the swamps and made it back to St. Augustine. All others were taken prisoner.

After the battle, Wilcoxson's widow wrote to Capt. Dickison. She told him that her husband's captured sword was a gift to him from his Masonic Lodge in Norwalk, CT. She asked that it be returned to her so that she could present it to the Lodge. Capt. Dickison, also a Mason, obliged her and told her that it was being returned, "on account of the feelings I entertained for your husband as a brave officer." The sword is still in the possession of Wilcoxson's Lodge.

It was also learned that both men, Episcopals, had attended the same church and lodge meetings, then met on opposing sides in a ferice firefight in the jungles of Volusia County. Both had funeral services at the church and Dickison was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. His funeral procession was the longest in the history of Florida, stretching for 15 miles.

Those interested in visiting the site, there is a historic marker, I wrote the text and organized a Corporation to save and mark this and several other little known sites. For this and other sites see:

http://www.fcphs.com/Battle_of_Braddocks_Farm.htm


OCKLAWAHA

[chris farley]

Has the Pilot Club ever covered Dickison's grave in their tours?

[Ocklawaha]

Don't know Chris, but I'm sure... No CERTAIN, that if they go into Evergreen then YES they'll include the old hero also known as "The Swamp Fox of the Confederacy". His other nickname was a play on his name Dickison = DIXIE, and EVERYTHING WEST OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER was well known as DIXIELAND! Only federal war ship ever sunk by a company of calvary... Dickison. Last Confederate victory in Florida... Dickison. Confederate officials smuggled to Cuba... Dickison. I also suspect he had a hand in the Maple Leaf, General Hunter and Harriet Weed's sinkings also.

His legend was so well known, that when the Yankee's made their great raid into "Dixieland" with a vastly superior force, Dickison cut them to ribbons in The Battle of Gainesville. Later he personally rode down the commander of the Ohio Calvary, a large red haired Irishman known to his men as "The Red Fox". Dickison tackled him from the saddle and into a marsh on the riverbank, having chased him/them all the way from Gainesville. As he crashed down on the terrified Yankee he asked "How is it that the Swamp Fox should catch the Red Fox?"

OCKLAWAHA

[chris farley]

Since working on the monument in Confederate park - the Tribute to the Women of the Southern Confederacy, I have become fascinated with the stories of that terrble war. You tell amazing stories,.There is a song sung in England at Christmas time about brother fighting brother. I have to find out the title of it.   I am going to talk to Louise Warren about this "Dixie" grave.  This year I know the Pilot Club is doing the western part of Evergreen in an area where no one died a natural death.  I will let you know what I hear from her.
I am going to go to Evergreen and find his grave for myself.It is amazing to me that a Yankee sculptor was chosen for the monument, but it was done so because he Newman was the absolute best there was and they wanted the best.  That monument has to be one of the most beautiful in America.