Our History
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St. Michael’s began as a parochial mission of St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church. At a vestry meeting in February 1953, the Reverend George Ferguson, Rector of St. Philip’s, announced plans to build a church on a lot opposite the end of Fifth Street on unpaved Wilmot Road. Harold Bell Wright Estates, then being developed as a residential subdivision, had been the property of novelist Harold Bell Wright. Several owners of the estate made the lot available for the purpose of building a church.
The Reverend John Clinton Fowler, the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bisbee, accepted Rev. Ferguson’s invitation to become the first vicar of the new parish chapel. A native Arizonan, born in Douglas, Fr. Fowler attended public schools in Tucson. His college career at the University of Arizona was interrupted by military service overseas in WWII. After returning from the War and graduating from the University of Arizona, Father Fowler attended the General Theological Seminary in New York. The first structure at the new location was designed in the style of churches in northern New Mexico, the oldest surviving example of which is the San Miguel Church of Santa Fe, dating to about 1609. The new church was designed by noted Swiss-American architect Josias T. Joesler, and built by contractor John Murphey. One of the later commissions for Joesler (1895-1956), it is one of many iconic Joesler structures that still grace Tucson today. St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church is another Joesler achievement. St. Michael’s original building, entirely of mud-adobe and timber construction, was 90 feet long and 22 feet wide, with lateral wings on each side of the church entrance to accommodate a Sunday school, kitchen and offices. The mud-adobe patio wall that forms the southern boundary of the church grounds was also built at that time. A glass cross was set in the original north wall of the church, behind the high altar. The floor was of native Arizona flagstone, and the ceiling featured beams of native Arizona fir and pine trees, with Saguaro ribbing laid in a herringbone pattern. On Sunday, November 29th, 1953 at 4:00 PM, the mission sprang to life at its very first service. 415 worshipers were present as Bishop Arthur Kinsolving and members of the Tucson clergy opened and blessed the building. The first congregation included members who had transferred from St. Philip’s parish and people from the east side of Tucson. As of the first Annual Report, there were 225 families and individuals on the rolls, and a total of 684 baptized persons. The church style, at the direction of Rector Ferguson, was one of moderate churchmanship, in the pattern of St. Philip’s in the Hills. Services were at first limited to Sundays and special days such as Ash Wednesday and Holy Week, until August 1954 when a weekday schedule on Wednesdays and Fridays was added. In 1955 a rectory, also designed by Joesler, was constructed on the southwest side of the property adjacent to Wilmot Road. By the end of 1956, the congregation was large enough and finances had become sufficiently dependable that independent parochial status was discussed. The conditions for independence were set and on January 24, 1957, St. Michael and All Angels was incorporated under the laws of Arizona as an independent, self-governing parish of the Episcopal Missionary District of Arizona. Fr. Fowler was elected and installed as the first rector of the new parish. The worship and teaching of the parish were changed to Anglo-Catholic in churchmanship, while in public matters, the parish was beginning its long career as one dedicated to social reform. The civil rights movement, the farm workers movement, the Viet Nam War, nuclear disarmament, and other public issues have all been addressed over the years. In 1958 a new wing of rooms was added, extending south from the already existing east wing. In 1960 a kitchen, utility rooms, and a large parish hall were added. Architect Gordon Luepke, an associate of the late Josias Joesler, designed the buildings in the style of the original structure. These rooms were added to accommodate the needs of the new St. Michael's Parish Day School, which opened with its first Kindergarten class in 1958. By 1960, with additional classrooms added, the school presented classes to students up through the eighth grade. Also in 1960, St. Michael’s organized its own Federal Credit Union. It operated for 24 years, assisting parishioners and employees with credit and savings accounts before eventually merging with another credit union. Meanwhile, the church’s missionary work continued. Beginning in 1960 and continuing for five or six years, priests of St. Michael’s celebrated services with migrant farm workers at La Mision de San Juan de los Campos in Marana. In 1961, St. Michael’s instituted Sunday services inside Sunnyside Junior High School. In 1964 the church was enlarged by the addition of a transept at the north end with an apse for the high altar, extending the length of the church to 125 feet. The design was by Gordon Luepke and Ed Morgan. The original cruciform window was moved from behind the altar to the west transept wall. In 1962, five acres of land were purchased at the end of South 12th Avenue. The Chapel of the Resurrection was built there in 1965 and continued as a parochial mission of St. Michael’s until 1984, when the property and operations were turned over to the Diocese of Arizona. A Committee for Human Rights and Social Justice for Hispanic Americans was formed at the Chapel of the Resurrection, providing teaching and advocacy to the neighborhood. This Committee eventually developed into the Manzo Area Council. which left the Chapel in August 1980. A similar effort was the establishment of a Hospitality House to assist people in the South Park area. This evolved into the Holy Cross House, which became independent of the church in 1978. The parish also established an evening meal service in the Parish Hall in 1975 for the hungry and the homeless. This evolved into the St. Martin de Porres program on South Park Avenue through Episcopal Community Services, which was closed by court order in 1985. At about that time, one of the parish residences was turned into a hospice for five elderly patients. Named for St. Anne de Beaupre, this operation was turned over to a private contract and left the church property in 1987. In May, 1984, the Vestry signed a Covenant of Sanctuary, and undertook to provide shelter, food, and protection to Central American refugees. Two men from El Salvador were sheltered in the old rectory until they found other support. |
Father Fowler announced his retirement in September 1986, effective on or about May 1, 1987, and relinquished the Chair of the Vestry in December, 1986. The Rev. Stephen Norcross was named Interim Rector. In 1988, the Rev. Ronald T. Lau became the new rector. In 1989, the church took on purchase of a 45-rank Æolian-Skinner pipe organ, originally built in 1959 in Boston, Massachusetts for Christ Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. A major investment in the future of St. Michael’s, the organ was stored in parts at a local car dealership for a number of years until the church could be expanded to house it. Meanwhile, in 1993, the Creswell Courtyard was added.
During Father Lau's tenure, the Vestry delegated the guidance of St. Michael's Parish Day School to a Board of Trustees composed of school parents working together with parishioners. The Board called the first Head of School; up to this point the Rector had served as Head as well.
After the departure of Father Lau in 1994, the Rev. Dr. Carey C. Womble took up the post of interim rector.
The Reverend John R. Smith, Jr. was appointed as Vicar to St. Michael and All Angels by the Episcopal Bishop of Arizona on March, 1995. Eleven months later, in February, 1996, the Vestry elected and installed Fr. Smith as the new rector. Under his direction, a “2000 and Beyond” campaign raised funds for both the physical needs of the parish and its missions to the world beyond its walls. A new period of expansion began with a middle school addition, built in 1997.
The new pipe organ chamber for the Æolian-Skinner pipe organ was in place in 1998. Built at the north of the high altar, the chamber was designed by architect Bob Vint, with organ restoration and installation by Grahame Davis of Pipe Organ Artisans of Arizona, Inc.
During the year 2000, along with the Parish Center, the Mulvaney kitchen and five classrooms at the east side of the historic courtyard were completed. Next, the labyrinth was installed near the parish center, to be used by all for contemplative, meditative walks. A small pool was also installed in the center of the labyrinth for baptismal use.
In 2003, a new student center, new and replacement classrooms, and a science center were designed by Bob Vint and constructed by Cobre Building Systems. Soon after, the fifth and final section (antiphonal) to the pipe organ was installed in at the choir loft.
In 2012, with the generous support of many individuals, the parish replaced the church’s leaky roof, repaired and painted aging adobe walls, and replastered the church’s interior. In March, 2012, the church and school commissioned the addition of solar panels on the roofs and in the parking lot, reducing our carbon footprint while reducing utility costs, and even providing two rows of covered parking.
In 2015, work was undertaken to restore the organ from damage done by termites and packrats, including the necessary purchase of a new electronic control system. A building committee was established to find solutions to ongoing issues with the aging, historic structure, such as the need to install a better cooling system without endangering the structural integrity of wooden beams and adobe walls.
In March, 2015, Father John R. Smith celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his arrival at St. Michael’s, and announced his retirement as of July 1, 2015. His final Mass at St. Michael and All Angels was on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at a combined service for all parishioners. At that time, the Smith Parish Center was renamed in his honor. Father Smith moved to Antigua, Guatemala with his wife, Terri, where he served as the Vicar of the St. Alban Episcopal Mission for several years. Upon Father Smith’s departure, the parish was led by the Reverend Dr. Richard Mallory as interim rector, who took up his post with a full schedule of masses on Sunday, August 16th, 2015.
In July, 2016, the Rev. David Benedict Hedges, BSG, accepted the call to be our new Rector.
During Father Lau's tenure, the Vestry delegated the guidance of St. Michael's Parish Day School to a Board of Trustees composed of school parents working together with parishioners. The Board called the first Head of School; up to this point the Rector had served as Head as well.
After the departure of Father Lau in 1994, the Rev. Dr. Carey C. Womble took up the post of interim rector.
The Reverend John R. Smith, Jr. was appointed as Vicar to St. Michael and All Angels by the Episcopal Bishop of Arizona on March, 1995. Eleven months later, in February, 1996, the Vestry elected and installed Fr. Smith as the new rector. Under his direction, a “2000 and Beyond” campaign raised funds for both the physical needs of the parish and its missions to the world beyond its walls. A new period of expansion began with a middle school addition, built in 1997.
The new pipe organ chamber for the Æolian-Skinner pipe organ was in place in 1998. Built at the north of the high altar, the chamber was designed by architect Bob Vint, with organ restoration and installation by Grahame Davis of Pipe Organ Artisans of Arizona, Inc.
During the year 2000, along with the Parish Center, the Mulvaney kitchen and five classrooms at the east side of the historic courtyard were completed. Next, the labyrinth was installed near the parish center, to be used by all for contemplative, meditative walks. A small pool was also installed in the center of the labyrinth for baptismal use.
In 2003, a new student center, new and replacement classrooms, and a science center were designed by Bob Vint and constructed by Cobre Building Systems. Soon after, the fifth and final section (antiphonal) to the pipe organ was installed in at the choir loft.
In 2012, with the generous support of many individuals, the parish replaced the church’s leaky roof, repaired and painted aging adobe walls, and replastered the church’s interior. In March, 2012, the church and school commissioned the addition of solar panels on the roofs and in the parking lot, reducing our carbon footprint while reducing utility costs, and even providing two rows of covered parking.
In 2015, work was undertaken to restore the organ from damage done by termites and packrats, including the necessary purchase of a new electronic control system. A building committee was established to find solutions to ongoing issues with the aging, historic structure, such as the need to install a better cooling system without endangering the structural integrity of wooden beams and adobe walls.
In March, 2015, Father John R. Smith celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his arrival at St. Michael’s, and announced his retirement as of July 1, 2015. His final Mass at St. Michael and All Angels was on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at a combined service for all parishioners. At that time, the Smith Parish Center was renamed in his honor. Father Smith moved to Antigua, Guatemala with his wife, Terri, where he served as the Vicar of the St. Alban Episcopal Mission for several years. Upon Father Smith’s departure, the parish was led by the Reverend Dr. Richard Mallory as interim rector, who took up his post with a full schedule of masses on Sunday, August 16th, 2015.
In July, 2016, the Rev. David Benedict Hedges, BSG, accepted the call to be our new Rector.
2016 and 2017 also saw further improvements to the church and school campus. In 2016, St. Michael’s School embarked on a capital campaign for expansion of its facilities. Work on this began in June, 2016 and was completed in 2017, including the addition of Tankersley Hall, a multi-purpose room used by both church and school. In December, 2016, a new wheelchair accessible ramp was completed at the west entrance to the church, along with dedicated handicapped parking.
In May, 2021, St. Michael’s began preparations for a three-year House of the Faithful Capital Campaign. The purpose was to raise funds for major repairs to the aging building, to install a modern HVAC system in the church to replace evaporative coolers and a barely functional heating system, to repair and replace broken flagstone in front of the church, and to restore antique sacred art works. Architect Bob Vint undertook the design work, and Cobre Building Systems again took charge of construction.
Air conditioning was installed on the newly-insulated church roof in early 2023, providing for a comfortable church during hot the Arizona summer for the first time in the church’s nearly 70-year history. Also in 2023, a drip system was installed for the rows of historic olive trees, and the parish undertook a process to apply for historic landmark status for the older parts of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
Sometimes called “the church with the sign,” St. Michael’s has had a “prophetic sign” on display at the corner of Wilmot Road and Fifth Street for decades, sometimes controversial but always rooted in Christian social conscience. Its first message was “It’s a sin to build a nuclear weapon.” In the 1990s it pointed out that “Jesus was a refugee.” In 2006, it said, “Either we are all God’s children – or no one is.” In 2010, the sign featured a painting by artist and parishioner Bob Bennett, quoting St. Paul: “Overcome Evil with Good.” The current sign quotes from the Gospel of St. Matthew: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
St. Michael’s has a long history as a welcoming community, firmly rooted in the Anglo-Catholic and Episcopal liturgical tradition, providing academic excellence and spiritual guidance, and committed to serving those in need. St. Michael’s volunteers hand out bags of groceries to those who need them, provide dozens of hard boiled eggs on a biweekly basis to the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, and take a turn hosting Poz Café for people living with HIV/AIDS. For over twenty years the parish has spearheaded St. Michael’s Guatemala Project, an informal partnership with rural Maya who became refugees in their own country during Guatemala’s civil war, that focuses on community health, mutual learning, and solidarity. In these and many other ways, the people of St. Michael and All Angels seek to live out their baptismal promises and be “agents of Jesus’ gospel of justice, peace, and love in the world.”
In May, 2021, St. Michael’s began preparations for a three-year House of the Faithful Capital Campaign. The purpose was to raise funds for major repairs to the aging building, to install a modern HVAC system in the church to replace evaporative coolers and a barely functional heating system, to repair and replace broken flagstone in front of the church, and to restore antique sacred art works. Architect Bob Vint undertook the design work, and Cobre Building Systems again took charge of construction.
Air conditioning was installed on the newly-insulated church roof in early 2023, providing for a comfortable church during hot the Arizona summer for the first time in the church’s nearly 70-year history. Also in 2023, a drip system was installed for the rows of historic olive trees, and the parish undertook a process to apply for historic landmark status for the older parts of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
Sometimes called “the church with the sign,” St. Michael’s has had a “prophetic sign” on display at the corner of Wilmot Road and Fifth Street for decades, sometimes controversial but always rooted in Christian social conscience. Its first message was “It’s a sin to build a nuclear weapon.” In the 1990s it pointed out that “Jesus was a refugee.” In 2006, it said, “Either we are all God’s children – or no one is.” In 2010, the sign featured a painting by artist and parishioner Bob Bennett, quoting St. Paul: “Overcome Evil with Good.” The current sign quotes from the Gospel of St. Matthew: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
St. Michael’s has a long history as a welcoming community, firmly rooted in the Anglo-Catholic and Episcopal liturgical tradition, providing academic excellence and spiritual guidance, and committed to serving those in need. St. Michael’s volunteers hand out bags of groceries to those who need them, provide dozens of hard boiled eggs on a biweekly basis to the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, and take a turn hosting Poz Café for people living with HIV/AIDS. For over twenty years the parish has spearheaded St. Michael’s Guatemala Project, an informal partnership with rural Maya who became refugees in their own country during Guatemala’s civil war, that focuses on community health, mutual learning, and solidarity. In these and many other ways, the people of St. Michael and All Angels seek to live out their baptismal promises and be “agents of Jesus’ gospel of justice, peace, and love in the world.”
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St. Michael & All Angels Church
A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona 602 N. Wilmot Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 520-886-7292 church@stmichael.net Sunday Schedule 7:15 AM – Morning Prayer 7:45 AM – Low Mass 9:00 AM – Family Mass 10:30 AM – Solemn Mass 5:00 PM – Low Mass |
All are welcome!
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