Prominent Tucson developers John and Helen Murphey originally commissioned architect Josias Joesler to design a private chapel for their home. Eventually, the Murpheys and Joesler shifted their focus to constructing St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church as a part of their larger Catalina Foothills Estates development. With the surrounding buildings designed to radiate out from the church’s campus, St. Philip’s placement and Mission Style architecture were meant to emulate village churches in Mexico. The church’s nave is situated in front of a twelve-foot high arched clear plate glass window, with a view of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the distance. Its pews, altars, and beams are made from cedar logs sourced from the southwest of Mexico and carved by a Mexican artisan. Twelve stained-glass windows by Francisco Garduno Cañedo allow colored light to reflect on the white stucco adobe walls. The church is considered one of Josias Joesler’s most recognizable works.

St. Philip’s first service on Christmas Eve of 1936 was met with such enthusiasm that attendance overflowed the church’s seating capacity. Christmas Eve service is still a popular annual destination for Tucsonans, in addition to the church’s renowned musical events with performances ranging from members of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to participants in the Rising Stars youth music program. St. Philip’s hosts weekly dinners, provides meals for the Primavera Foundation Emergency Shelter, and rents the kitchen to early-career or low-income food entrepreneurs at a reduced rate. Among numerous community initiatives, the congregation uses its Murphy Gallery to showcase art from women at the Perryville Prison, runs a medical debt relief program, and provides laundry essentials to local families.

A National Fund grant of $150,000 with $150,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will support critical repairs to St. Philip’s exterior envelope, including roof repairs and wall stabilization in order to safeguard the irreplaceable artwork and artifacts housed in the building and sustain its community service.

Photos by Ayden Carrell