About St. Andrew's
St. Andrew's began as a mission of the Church of the Advent in 1902, when a Sunday School was established in a private residence on the southside of Birmingham.
By 1906, the parish had been recognized by the Diocese and was situated in a separate building. On Maundy Thursday in 1913, a tornado destroyed the church. This led to the purchase of the lot where the church is presently located and the construction of a new church. The cornerstone was laid on St. Andrew's Day, November 1913, and the first service was held on Easter Sunday in 1915, but the building was not finished and consecrated until All Hallow's Eve of 1920.
St. Andrew's, Easter 1921 (click to enlarge)
The women's organization, The St. Andrew's Guild, assumed paying much of the debt for the new buildings by serving a series of luncheons. The first lunches were served on the mezzanine of a downtown hardware store.
The church grew and flourished, mainly attracting a group of white middle class families. Money problems constantly gnawed at St. Andrew's resources. During the late 1940's, St. Andrew's evolved into an Anglo-Catholic parish.
Outside St. Andrew, Easter 1936 (click to enlarge)
The last principal Sunday service using only Morning Prayer was held in 1950. The 1950s saw the last use of the rectory, now known as St. Joesph's, by the rector. Urban changes occurred as many longtime residents moved to the suburbs. Parish membership declined and the parish profile changed from its previous white-collar middle class family status. Financial difficulties grew more severe. During the 1960s, the Anglo-Catholic tradition continued and new attention was turned to outreach in the urban neighborhood and racial tolerance.
During the 1970's, many changes took place, such as women gaining access to leadership roles, an increase in lay participation, a smooth transition to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and more outreach programs. The 1980s saw the construction of a new parish hall, introduction of the Catechumenate for new members, House Eucharists, and a more fully developed music program.
Today the lovely old brownstone church sits gracefully on the corner of 11th Avenue and 12th Street South. The church is outlined with pretty gardens and a tiny columbarium where some of our departed parishioners' cremated remains have been buried. Next door is St. Joseph's House, which contains a student apartment, counseling offices, and several rooms used for many church functions. The neighborhood is a mixture of small businesses, small single-family residences, apartments, and student housing.
There are approximately 300 individuals on the parish roll, including 30 family units with a total of 120 individuals, 35 couples, and 110 single individuals. In addition to the rector, the parish has two associate priests, two full-time employees, the administrative secretary and the full-time sexton, and three regular part-time employees, the organist/choir master, the youth director, and the bookkeeper.
The parish maintains an active schedule of services. Find out more about what's going at St. Andrew's in our monthly newsletter, Andrew's Net.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Timeline:
1902
Church of the Advent establishes a Sunday School on Southside
1902
The Sunday School becomes the Mission of St. Andrew's
1905
Members incorporate as a parish
1906
The Diocese recognizes St. Andrew's as a parish
1913
A Maundy Thursday Tornado destroys the church building
1915
The first service is held in a new church building
1918
The women of St. Andrew's establish Tea Room downtown to raise money
1920
(All Hallow's Eve) The church building is consecrated
1945
Anglo-Catholic traditions begin to be followed at St. Andrew's
1965
Some members become involved in Civil Rights movement
1973
Organization of the St. Andrew's Foundation
1976
Campus and Urban ministry begin
1980
Soup kitchen is organized
1983
Community Kitchens becomes an independent corporation
1989
(Epipany) New Parish Hall is dedicated
2004
(Summer) Major renovations of church interior begun
