An Episcopal mission as organized in Durham, North Carolina in 1878 under the leadership of Rev.

[1] Cheshire purchased a lot on East Main Street in downtown Durham and had a wood-frame building constructed in 1880.

[1][3] St. Philip's is the oldest remaining church building in downtown Durham.

[1] In 1945, George Watts Carr designed a new parish house for the church, constructef on the west side of the property just north of the Copley/Johnson gas station that was also owned by the church.

The church rents out it's buildings for banquets, business meetings, weddings, and private events.