It was a sad group at lunch. When suddenly, I remembered overhearing
the chamber of Commerce President telling my husband of the Village
Meadows Development. It occurred to me that, just maybe, if I
telephoned Tower Real Estate, they would consider our request for land.
Leaving the table in the middle of lunch to make the
telephone call, I couldn't believe that in five minutes I'd been
promised three acres of land on condition that I promptly come to the
office for
the deed.1I Note: Tower Realty was located at 4724 North Central
Avenue, Phoenix. "The two brothers (Henry P. and Joseph E.
Stern), a lawyer and a secretary were waiting. Presto, we had the
signed deed and rushed back to the Bishop's office. Naturally, we were
overjoyed. Only one requirement we begin building In a year.
Lots were not platted. No one knew exactly where our property was in
relation to streets, schools, and homes. But that was not important. It
was how would Bishop Kinsolving react to the gift.
When I presented the deed to him at the afternoon meeting, several
members of the Bishop's Committee had returned to the Fort. Father
Lewis accepted the Bishop's instructions. We had our mission."
Today the church tends to be very scientific about the siting of new
missions by using economic analyses, demographics, street plans, time
factors, minimum numbers for viability, etc., etc. This approach is
designed to provide the greatest margin for success to any new mission.
Allyne Niemi's account shows us another time when the
founding of missions was not nearly as refined as the process is today.
Imagine being part of that small group of intense believers which
not only swam upstream against a Bishop who seems to have blown hot and
cold by turns but also had to deal with local resistance. Insofar as
the Bishop went, it was" No" because of money; then it was "Yes" to the
"Buy a Brick" campaign; next, it was "No" because no more missions were
wanted in the Diocese; finally, it was "Yes" when presented with a
deed. Regarding the local resistance, the Rev. Mr. Lewis wrote the
following to Allyne Niemi in May of 1959: "I do not imagine any of us
fully understands how much you have endured in order to bring about the
organization of the congregation and the inauguration of the Building
Fund. Certainly you and I did not envisage the conflict and (illegible)
that ensued."
God's will prevailed despite internal and external opposition and the
illogic of building a mission in a town that was totally dependent on a
military installation that had twice closed in the previous twelve
years.
The episcopal sensibilities of Bishop Kinsolving satisfied, or at least
worn down to the point of non-opposition an equally hard part of the
process was at hand, i.e. raising the money to build the church
building. The recorded architectural style decided upon was rather
unique considering the building was to be a church. It was called"
Arizona Bunkhouse". But then, it was intended to become the church hall
once the “real" church was built. How was the money raised?
Individual
pledges and contributions were sought and the “Buy a
Brick” campaign continued. A fashion show sponsored by the
“Klothes Kloset” for the benefit of St. Stephen's
was designated “A Stairway From The Stars Of
Fashion.” It was held on October 26, 1960 at the EI Coronado
Restaurant with Allyne Niemi as chairman. One of the models remembered
by many was the late Julie Farnsworth who died in July 1995. Julie
modeled “Helen Harper Coordinates, Purple
Ensemble”, Slim Wool Jersey, and Cerise Peau de
Soiell” so the record says.
Following is a story told by Boll Worthington, a late former member of
St. Stephen's. In 1960, the chairman of the Department of Missions was
the Rector of St. Philip's-in-the-Hills, Tucson. St. Philip's
has a striking view of the Santa Catalina Mountains from the window
behind its altar. Knowing that, a member of the as yet un
built St. Stephen's who was quite an amateur photographer had a first'
rate idea. He took a picture of the Huachuca Mountains from the
perspective of where St. Stephen's altar window would be. He then took
an over the altar and through the window picture at St. Philip's. Using
photographic sleight of hand, he removed the Santa Catalinas from the
St. Philip's picture and superimposed the picture of the Huachucas on
the St. Philip's picture. The “doctored” picture
was then shown to the Rector of St. Philip's in his capacity as
Department of Missions chairman at the meeting to distribute money for
new missions. “That's my window” he
exclaimed. The reply was “You're half right. The
window is yours. The mountains are ours.” As the story goes,
St. Stephen's received 75% of the building funds available for that
year or about $15,000.00.
The original building site that was blessed by Bishop Kinsolving on 31
May 1959 was not the final site. The blessing came after a Confirmation
by Bishop Kinsolving in Chapel II with an attendance of 39 and a
collection of $19.00. At 9:30 A.M. on 13 November 1960, ground was
broken at the present site with the new Vicar, the Reverend James E.
Hayes on the earth mover. At 11 :00 A.M. on 5 February 1961, a mere 69
days later, the first service was held in the new church building.
According to the entry in the Register of Church Services, there were
200 present, 156 communions, and a collection of $262.00. At 5:00 P.M.
on 23 April 1961, Bishop Kinsolving consecrated St. Stephen's and all
that therein was before conducting a Confirmation service. One of the
prayers used that day was:
“0 God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive
all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all
envy, pride, and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no
stumbling block to children, nor to straying foot, but rugged and
strong enough to turn back the tempter's power. God, make the door to
this house the gateway to Thine eternal kingdom. Amen.”
But what of those who made this service possible? The Rev. Mr. Lewis
was transferred by the Bishop in August 1960. Another, the Rev. Mr.
James E. Hayes, sat on the earth mover at the ground breaking
ceremonies, conducted the first service in the new church, and assisted
the Bishop at its consecration. The man was gone but the imprint
remained. Allyne Niemi’s own words describe what happened to
her: “Also in later part of October 1960, I suffered a severe
stroke.”
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