St. Philip Catholic Church

The year was 1863.

the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was in the midst of the War between the States: the Civil War. That year, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He also declared the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day, and he delivered the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln was also quoted as saying, "Let us diligently apply the means, never doubting that a just God, in his own good time, will give us the rightful result."

While these extraordinary moments in the life of our country were occurring, a group of people in Battle Creek, Michigan, trusting that God would "Give us the rightful result," made a decision to "diligently apply the means" and established the Catholic Church in our community. Battle Creek, itself, was only four years old. It would still be 40 years before Cornflakes would become a marketable product. And it was in these contexts that Saint Philip Church became a cornerstone of this community. 

You see by the church's very location. Beginning in a small building that once housed a Quaker meeting house, up to the present-day historic and beautiful church built in 1929, our parish has literally sat at the center of Battle Creek. Many may forget that the Catholic Church is a foundational part of Battle Creek's history, but the eleven bishops, seventeen pastors, and thousands upon thousands of parishioners of Saint Philip's never forget the significance and importance of our parish in this community. 

Today, 150+ years after its founding, the parish community of Saint Philip continues to grow, thrive, and serve as a center of faith and fellowship. Every day, we strive to carry out the words of our patron, Saint Philip, in inviting others to "Come and See" the face of the Lord. It is in the hearts, minds, and souls of the parishioners of the last century and a half who truly are the story of this parish. The priests and people of our community have strived wholeheartedly to live the Gospel message and celebrate the Church that was founded on the Apostle Peter. Our dedication to our Catholic faith, devotion to the Eucharist, and our love for this parish has not and will not waiver through the challenges and opportunities, joys, and sorrows, that God's plan has laid out. 

May God continue to bless our parish and the people who serve and honor her. May we continue to "diligently apply the means" to allow this local Church to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, Risen from the Dead. Praise be Jesus Christ!