HONORING A LEGACY OF COURAGE AND FAITH
An Exhibition Honoring Bishop Barbara Harris and the Philadelphia Eleven
In 2024, the Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, expressed a deep desire to commemorate two historic moments in the Episcopal Church:
The ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven at the Church of the Advocate on July 29, 1974—eleven women coming from all around the country to step into their calling as ordained priests, despite the national church's lack of sanction at the time.
The consecration of Bishop Barbara Harris in 1989—the first woman bishop, who was nurtured within this Diocese and later became Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts.
In response to this vision, a dedicated committee has been formed to establish a lasting space to honor these courageous women. The result is The Center for Courageous Women of Faith—a place where their stories, struggles, and triumphs can inspire future generations.
PHILADELPHIA ELEVEN ORDINATION, 1974
FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILADELPHIA ELEVEN ORDINATION
BISHOP BARBARA HARRIS
The proposed site for The Center for Courageous Women of Faith is St. Margaret’s House at the Episcopal Mission & Retreat House at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown in Philadelphia, PA.
Our Mission
The Center for Courageous Women of Faith (CCWOF) shares the stories of the Philadelphia Eleven and Bishop Barbara Harris, trailblazing women in faith, to inspire others to pursue their own calling and promote justice and unity in communities.
Our Vision
The Center for Courageous Women of Faith (CCWOF) aspires to celebrate equity, justice, voice, inclusion, and boldness in faith and community, fostering a world where each person is empowered to live out their vocation.
EXHIBIT PREVIEW
Jane Van Zandt, former student of the Reverend Carter Haywood, one of the Philadelphia Eleven, donated books from her personal collection for inclusion at the Center for Courageous Women of Faith.
Join Us in Building the Future
The Center for Courageous Women of Faith is still in its early stages and needs your support to become a reality. Your contributions—whether financial or in-kind—will help create a space that commemorates these groundbreaking achievements and ensures their message reaches future generations.
We invite you to be part of this vital mission. To donate to our efforts, click the Donate button below. For more information about how you can support this effort, please complete the Contact Form.
Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a future where all are welcomed and empowered in faith.