This is the latest in a series of articles about fun and interesting things to do in the Foothills.
The attraction: St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., at North Campbell Avenue and East River Road.
When is it open? The church is usually open during daylight hours. The main office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The gift shop is open 10 a.m.-noon in the summer and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the winter months. The Renouf-Nelson Library is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday; it's closed on Saturday.
What's it all about? The church itself is a Joesler-designed building, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places. (Josias Joesler was a Swiss-born architect who designed many famous buildings in Tucson starting in the late 1920s.) St. Philip's has served the community since its first service on Christmas Eve 1936. There are several gardens on the grounds. One is called the Baker Quiet Garden; another is the Columbarium Garden, where cremated remains are kept in urns and placed inside the surrounding walls.
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A free Fine Arts Tour takes place on the second Sunday of every month after the 11:15 a.m. service. The 45-minute tour shows the artwork on display around the grounds.
There also is an art gallery that features the works of two artists each month. The gallery, which has free admission, is open October through May.
There are many other events at St. Philip's, mostly classes and meetings for various organizations, including several 12-step programs, a grief-recovery program and more; check out the church's Web site at www.stphilipstucson.org for more information.
What's so great about it? "There is a serenity about it that seeps into your soul," said parishioner Mary Lou Foote, who is the chairwoman for the art gallery and the Fine Arts and Crafts Outdoor Art Show scheduled to take place on Oct. 21. "You sit there in the church, and anything that bothers you gradually leaves so you sit there with a feeling of peace."
How popular is it? The church is always on a list as one of the most beautiful buildings in the area, Foote said. "Tucsonans have a love affair with St. Philip's," she added. And if you want to get married in the church you do not have to be a parishioner, Foote said.
How much does it cost? It is free for the most part unless you want to take the above-mentioned classes. Then costs vary depending on the class.
