Our Rich Heritage
Phillips Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was named for Bishop Charles Henry Phillips, the 8th Bishop of the C.M.E. Church. Our congregation began as a spiritual outgrowth from Russell Tabernacle C.M.E. Church back; in 1946 a group of devoted believers who banded together to praise and serve God in the Methodist way, under the leadership of a young Southern Gentleman minister who was serving his appointment at Russell Tabernacle. This devoted, faithful and kingdom building minister the Reverend James H. Tucker and __ other band of believers set out to follow a spiritual vision to start a new congregation with God, as “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV God’s light led Sister Lucille Judge to speak for him and secure a place for the church to start at Pelzer Funeral Home located at 5th and Christian Street. This band of believers met in May 27, 1946 in the parlor of Pelzer and founded and organized a congregation to be known as Phillips Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, (the fifth Colored Methodist Church in the City of Philadelphia). The founding charter members were as follows:
Rev. James H. Tucker-Founding Pastor, Mother Lucille Judge, Sister Louise Byrd, Sister Lottie Brown June, Sister Hattie Mae Williams, Sister Margaret Judge Jones, Brother Earnest Major.
The first official board meeting was held on May 28, 1946.
Between 1946 and 1973, Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church worshipped in three different locations; for nearly a month at Pelzer Funeral Home 5th & Christian Streets, then the Lord moved again and the congregation was blessed with their first church building at 6th & Christian Streets were they worshipped for three (3) years; and the move of God happened again prospering under the leadership of pastor Rev. Tucker and in 1949, the trustees purchased the property at 336-338 Queen Street were they worshipped for twenty-four (24) years; the congregation grew from thirty-three faithful members to over two hundred-fifty (250) members. During the period of growth in the congregation and needing funds to save buy or build a new church the Pastor, Official Board Members and Members voted to come out of the Episcopal conference connection with the caveat to always be open to returning if the body elected to do so for the good of God’s church. The church name changed as did all Colored Methodist Episcopal Churches; in 1954 the General Conference of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church met in Memphis and adopted a resolution changing the name of the church to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Phillips Temple was now officially known as Phillips Temple Christian Methodist Church.
Through continued prayers and dedicated work of its members building up the kingdom of God through leading people to Christ, community outreach, feeding and clothing the poor, visiting the sick and those imprisoned and giving benevolence as much as they could gather; God answered their prayers by providing the congregation with a larger church home which is our current site 754 S. 3rd a former Synagogue and in January of 1973 we held our first worship service. As we continued to work and pray, we began negotiating for repairs on the church. Again, under the leadership of Rev. Tucker, God blessed us and in 1981 we were able to start repairs.
Our history would be incomplete without mentioning there are numerous precious memories of Phillips revolving around our founding members and other persons who were positioned as mothers and fathers of the congregation. God has faithfully had a “ram in the bush” for us.
Rev. Tucker’s health began to fail in 1984. At that time, Rev. Louis Burt was the Associate Minister and in 1986 he was made the Interim Pastor. Rev. Burt resigned from the position in 1987; and Rev. William Green, who was the Associate Minister, was made the Interim Pastor.
In December 1990, God chose to call our pastor Rev. James H. Tucker from labor to rest. In 1991 the then Rev. William C. Green was elected Pastor of Phillips Temple. Since the spiritual birth of Phillips Temple C.M Church, there have been only two pastors: Founding Pastor ~ Rev. James H. Tucker (1946-1990) and Rev. Dr. William C. Green (1991 to present).
Other ministers who have served the congregation: Rev. L.A. Martin, Rev. E.W. Holden, Rev. L. Roundtree, and Rev. S. T. Wilson.
Rev. Tucker, as Pastor and Founder of Phillips Temple, served the God’s church faithfully. The church was his life and he was well known for his humanitarian work in the community. He will always be remembered with heartfelt fondness and gratitude. One of his most quotable scriptures summarizes his work, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
We thank God for our present Pastor, Rev. Dr. William C. Green. He continues the humanitarian work in the community for which Phillips Temple is well known. Pastor Green also keeps us connected with our brother and sisters in CME, AME , ME Zion and UAME church connections through worship, fellowship, community programs were we glean and work together, “12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Ephesians 4:12-13.” We have been blessed to receive the anointing under the love and care of the Reverend John H. Ghee, retired Presiding Elder, Philadelphia District/7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and has followed after his retirement with the blessing, anointing and Christian brotherhood under John A. Dillard, III, who was elected the current Presiding Elder, Philadelphia District/7th Episcopal District of the CME Church.
We, the body of Christ named Phillips Temple Christian Methodist Church give him glory and praise for every year. To God be the glory for great things he continues to do through his people here.