St. Stephen’s
                      Episcopal Church

Worship:
     Saturday 5:00 pm
     Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 am
     Classes 9:30 am

 

 

 

About

 

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church began as a mission in 1962, funded initially by St. Barnabas on the Desert, Paradise Valley, to establish an Episcopal presence in the City of Scottsdale.

After meeting in a Scottsdale mortuary for about a year, we purchased a permanent site of almost five acres of desert land across the street from the western most edge of Scottsdale.  The property contained an adobe house, circa 1925, and an artist’s studio.  The family of Mrs. Susan Wescott (wife of the first Rector) gave the church the beautiful black wrought iron gate from which you enter into an upper courtyard, which at the time of purchase consisted of an adobe house (circa 1925) and an artist's studio. This area sat on almost 5 acres of beautiful desert. The adobe house remains and is called Stephen's House; the studio, renamed the Cottage, served as our sanctuary for one year before the present sanctuary was built just west of the courtyard.

On May 5, 1963 we held our first Eucharist at our permanent site. Building of the present sanctuary began in 1964. In the mid-1960’s, a lower courtyard was added, surrounded by an L-shaped complex designed by renowned architect Bennie Gonzales.  These buildings housed St. Stephen’s Parish Day School from 1967 until 1973.  The buildings were remodeled over the years to provide classroom areas, a spacious kitchen, a dining room and a parish hall.  The buildings are used regularly as part of the church’s community outreach by groups such as AA, Al-Anon, art classes and seminars.  In the early 80’s, at the insistence of the Diocese, we were asked to seek property within the City of Scottsdale and to consider merging with the Church of the Resurrection who was coexisting on property owned by Lutherans. After much discernment coupled with the fact that no affordable property was available the decision was made to join both congregations on the existing St. Stephen’s property.

In 1984, a Renewal Center was opened, using the original adobe building and the cottage in the upper courtyard. They were fitted with sleeping accommodations, showers and bathrooms.  The Renewal Center was used regularly for Cursillo Weekends by Episcopal, Lutheran, and Catholic Movements.  The Renewal Center has again been remodeled and is currently the site of a Montessori middle (junior high) school.

In 2001, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (our neighbor to the west) was closed as an English speaking parish and became San Pablo, a Spanish speaking mission church.  Many of the parishioners from St. Paul’s came to St. Stephen’s, including their entire choir, effectively doubling the size of St. Stephen’s traditional choir.

There have been ten rectors (including three interims) at St. Stephen’s since its inception. The clergy:

        1962-1970            Richard Westcott, vicar and rector
        1970-1972            Richard Beekman, rector
        1972-1975            Dr. Arthur Rudolph, rector
        1976-1980            Leland Jones, rector
        1980-1981            Bill Pottenger, interim rector
        1981-1998            David Bailey, rector
        1988-2005           Wilfred Stewart, assistant
        1998-1999           Kerry Neuhardt, interim rector
        1999-2006           Elizabeth Huskey-Simmons, rector
        2006-2007           Nicholas J. Romans, interim rector
        2007-present       Gregory J. Fry, rector 

History

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church | 2310 N 56th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 602.840.0437