On March 4, 1954, the Reverend Allen T. Sykes met with Mr. and Mrs. R.L.T. Hudgings at their home to discuss the possibility of establishing an Episcopal church in Fort Payne, Alabama. The Reverend Sykes then began a series of visits to Episcopalians in the area, and on August 31, 1954, a new Episcopal Mission was formed. The Reverend Sykes officiated the first Episcopal service in Fort Payne on Sunday, September 19, 1954, at 5:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church.

In 1955 plans were made to purchase the present property, formerly the site of Crystal Lake Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hudgings and diocesan architect Nelson Smith supervised the remodeling of the structure. The parish house, Hudgings Hall, was added in March 1961. The size of the church sanctuary was doubled in 1972 thanks to an enlargement project led by W.M. Fritz. In 1975 Arthur Cobble supervised an expansion of Hudgings Hall, and in 2003 the two buildings were finally connected by a building project headed by Stephanie Fritz. This project, which doubled the dining/meeting area of Hudgings Hall, included the remodeling of the kitchen and the addition of a church library, sacristy, sacristy workroom, and outdoor terrace for social gatherings.

St. Philip’s did have a rectory which was built in 1987 that was used by our Priests for several years. However, the rectory was sold in 2023.

In 2005, St. Philip’s celebrated its 50th anniversary with its theme of “50 Years and Forward,” and a piece of adjoining property was purchased by the church.

The wooden cross in the garden on St. Philip’s grounds was built by Glynn Odom in 1986. The surrounding area was updated with a stone walkway, benches and roses and named the Glenda Odom Memorial Garden in 2007.
St. Philip’s Columbarium was designed by Gayle Franklin, constructed on the church grounds in 2008 and blessed by The Rev. Jim Alves as a permanent structure where family members can provide a final resting place for the cremains of their loved ones. The stone walkway connects with the Glenda Odom Memorial Garden. These two areas are often used for outdoor services.

The Charles Shipp Memorial Garden was designed and planted in 2018 by Becky Guinn and Lynette Porter. St. Philip’s Altar Guild now has a seasonal cutting garden for flower arrangements for Sunday worship.

After graduating from Dade High School, Fr. Jim attended Auburn University.  He married Jane Pinkston in June 1962.  Fr. Jim also studied at Emory University, The University of Alabama Birmingham, and The School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

Fr. Jim has served as Priest in The Episcopal Church in Alabama since May 1987 in many capacities.

He was the Rector of St. Michael’s and All Angels, Millbrook; Holy Cross, Trussville; Holy Comforter, Gadsden.  He also was the Chaplain of Holy Comforter Episcopal School.

Fr. Jim was Interim Rector at St. Paul’s, Selma; St. Simon Peter, Pell City; Grace Episcopal, Anniston.

He is currently Priest in Charge at St. Philip’s in Fort Payne.