The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, May 11, 1961 THE CORAL GABLES TIMES 5

Flock at St. Philip's Caught The Vision, Their Church Grew Numbers Not Most Important

By RAYMOND LANG Times Staffer "I think it could be repeated today. "By different people, perhaps," said the Episcopalian rector, "but it could be repeated — if it had to be." Speaking was Father John G. Shirley, rector of St. Philips Episcopal Church, 1142 Coral Way. He was confident his congregation could today meet the same adversity that confronted them in 1951. They were building their church when Father Shirley became ill and went to Doctors Hospital. For six weeks, he directed the building operations from his hospital bed. Building committee members often went to Father Shirley, spread out a blueprint on his bed, and discussed some important points. "It was their work that made it possible," Father Shirley said about the committee members. "You don't direct anything from anywhere unless they catch the vision and carry it on." Father Shirley said meeting the pressure of building a church and going to a hospital to consult the rector never discouraged the committee members. "They kept up wonderfully," he said. The question rises, how did they do it? What kept them going, these laymen carrying the responsibility of helping build a church? "You know there's only one answer for that," Father Shirley said with an air of definiteness, "their love for their parish church." St. Philips held its first Sunday service in 1943 in the Coral Gables Woman's Club building. The congregation then totalled 18. Today there are 1,500 communicates. There were only about 500 when Father Shirley came from Daytona Beach in 1948 to assume the rectorate. Father Shirley was proud of his church and how its congregation has grown. But he was frank. "Numbers are important," he said. "But members are not always reflective of the real life of the church, not unless that church has grown in real spiritual depth, in devotion, in reverence, in missionary outlook. "Unless a church has grown in this depth, it has missed its purpose, which is the spiritual life . . . leading its people to a greater love for God." Father Shirley paused. Then he said proudly "A lot of the people in this parish have grown that way. "And I'm very grateful for it.' FATHER SHIRLEY

CORAL GABLES CHURCH OF CHRIST

DAVID FAIRCHILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cor. S.W. 54th St. & 57th Ave. — BIBLE CLASSES 10 A.M. & WED. 7:30 P.M.—WORSHIP 11 A.M. - 6 P.M. RAFORD PETTY, Evangelist, Call MO 6-9864 "WE BELIEVE THERE IS A NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN FOR ALL WORK AND WORSHIP"

Combs Funeral Home INC.

WALTER H. JACK J. PAUL H. Combs Funeral Home INC. Serving Faithfully since 1896 Northeast Chapel 1539 N.E. 2nd Ave. Paul H. Combs, Sr., Mgr. Coral Gables Chapel 1661 S.W. Douglas Rd. (37th Ave.) Glen H. Spencer, Mgr. PHONE FR 3-2101 DADE COUNTY'S OLDEST FUNERAL SERVICE

Don Walker Is Promoted By Delta

DONALD WALKER Donald Walker is the new Miami Beach sales representative for Delta Air Lines. Walker, who has been with Delta for five years, was promoted from the Coral Gables and downtown Miami sales representative post.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday Services 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday School 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Wednesday Testimony Meeting 8:00 P.M. First Church of Christ, Scientist Coral Gables 410 Andalusia Avenue Free Public Reading Room Weekdays: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. except Monday and Friday 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Sunday: Reading only 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. 400 Andalusia Avenue

University BAPTIST CHURCH

Give DIRECTION to your LIFE It's not the arrow but the aim that counts! WORSHIP WITH US THIS WEEK WORSHIP 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. Message By DR. COLEMAN "SHE STOOD BY HER HUSBAND" 7:45 P.M. "GETTING WHAT YOU WANT FROM LIFE" 9:30 A.M. Bible School 5:45 P.M., Fellowship Supper 6:30 P.M. Training Union and New Member Fellowship Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. Prayer Service University BAPTIST CHURCH RIVIERA DR. & SEGOVIA ST. Coral Gables T. Rupert Coleman, Ph.D., Pastor

Do You Have "Equity Money" in Your Home for Remodeling and Improvements? CORAL GABLES FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

The "equity" in your home is the difference between its present market value and the remaining balance of your mortgage. Thus, if your home has increased in value, or if you have substantially reduced the original mortgage, chances are that you can take advantage of the equity for remodeling, enlarging or improving your home through refinancing your present mortgage. In many cases monthly payments can remain the same . . . in any event, they will be lower than your present payments plus a separate loan. Regardless of who holds your mortgage now, discuss your plans and possible methods of refinancing with a Mortgage Loan Representative at any Coral Gables Federal office. CORAL GABLES FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION Chartered 1934 — Assets Now Exceed $115,000.000 MAIN OFFICE... 2501 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables HOMESTEAD.... 1101 North Krome Avenue WEST MIAMI.... 6400 Southwest 8th Street PERRINE........ 701 Perrine Avenue BIRD ROAD..... 9843 Southwest 40th Street All Offices Open Monday Evenings 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. PERRINE and BIRD ROAD OFFICES ONLY Also Open All Day Fridays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. GEORGE B. CASTER, President