History of The Parish

In January, 1962, five families met in a private home for the first services of what would become The Church of the Epiphany. Four months later the Bishop authorized parish status for the church, and services were moved to a barn in southeast Tempe.

Conservative Episcopalians, feeling that the established Tempe parish leaned toward a viewpoint too liberal because of its close association with the nearby university campus, broke away to establish this parish. The large red barn housed the church for the first two years. In 1963, parishioners opened an Episcopal day school in a farmhouse about three miles north on Price Road, the current location. Beginning in late 1964, worship was held on the lawn of the present site.

In 1964, the current parish hall was completed and served as the chief building of the church. Despite a growing population in the area surrounding the parish, the day school was closed because of financial strain.

The 1970s were a period of transition from the conservative, inward-looking congregation of earlier years to a larger, more diverse family. Heated arguments over women as acolytes and chalice bearers, and over liturgies, characterized the times. From being on the rural fringe of a small town, Epiphany became a center for suburban families. The staff increased to include a Minister of Education and a Minister of Music. The Sanctuary was completed in 1976 and major improvements were made in 1979.