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The Church of Saint Michael the
Archangel is a traditional Anglican parish continuing the
parochial and congregational life of the Church of Saint
James the Less, Philadelphia. Sunday Masses are at 8 and 10
in the Chapel of Peace at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 215
Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. The Chapel of Peace is
handicapped accessible.
St Michael's began its current
phase of life in 2006, when the congregation of the Church of
St James the Less left the St James property in North
Philadelphia for its current locations. St James the Less had
disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church in 1999, and the
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania sued the parish in 2001 to
seize the property. The Pennsylvania courts eventually
decided that while the parish owns the property, there exists
an “implied trust” in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania. Given the choice between the property and the
faith, the congregation chose the faith, and moved out. While
it has been hard to leave behind the landmark property, the
congregation is committed first and foremost to the faith
once received from the saints.
Fr David Ousley has
been rector since 1983, having previously served parishes in
New York and Connecticut. He attended Yale College and
Nashotah House Theological Seminary, and holds a Ph.D. in
historical theology from the University of Chicago. His
publications include Pilgrimage: A
Newsletter of Chrsitian Spirituality, The Way of
Holiness (published by Latimer House in England), and
articles in various magazines, including Touchstone,
The Evangelical Catholic, The Church Times,
etc. The rectory household includes his wife, mother,
three children, and a Corgi (the last courtesy of the
Montomgery County SPCA).
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