A Place for Embrace in Evanston
On a residential stretch of Rutland Avenue, just a few miles outside of downtown Cincinnati, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church has stood as a place for embrace for more than 130 years. The parish describes itself in those words, and the phrase appears on everything from the church's masthead to the welcome message that greets visitors. Set in the Evanston neighborhood, the historic building is home to a historically Black Episcopal congregation that sees its calling as both spiritual and civic: worship on Sunday morning, a food pantry on Mondays and Tuesdays, and an afterschool program that fills the church's classrooms four afternoons a week.
The parish's identity is rooted in a particular kind of welcome. St. Andrew's is, in its own words, a racially and socio-economically diverse community that affirms people of every gender and sexuality, and that frames that affirmation as part of its Episcopal identity rather than a departure from it. "The Episcopal Church is a branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion," the parish teaches. "We affirm the goodness of all of God's people."
130 Years on Rutland Avenue
St. Andrew's was founded in 1894, making it one of the older historically Black Episcopal congregations in the region. The parish has remained on the same site at 1809 Rutland Avenue for the duration of its life, and the building carries the marks of that long history. Visitors entering the church encounter Allen Rohan Crite's 1946 painting "Streetcar Madonna," a work depicting a Black mother holding a child, which has become a visual touchstone for the parish.
That longevity shapes the congregation's sense of mission. The Rev. Christopher Slane, the parish's Priest-in-Charge, preaches regularly about the long arc of the church's work in Evanston and about what it means for a community of faith to remain in a neighborhood across generations. Sermons published by the parish move between scripture and the immediate life of the city, ranging from reflections on Jonah and the wideness of God's mercy, to sermons preached in the weeks around the September 11th anniversary about forgiveness in the face of tragedy, to meditations on Dolly Parton's life and what it means to bear a cross with moral clarity.
Sunday Worship at Ten
Worship is the center of life at St. Andrew's, and the rhythm is simple. The congregation gathers every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. for a service that runs until about 11:15, both in person and online through the parish's YouTube channel. As an Episcopal parish, St. Andrew's worships in the liturgical tradition of the Anglican Communion: collects that change with the season, readings from the lectionary, and the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Rev. Christopher Slane serves as Priest-in-Charge and preaches most Sundays. The Rev. Dcn. Anne Reed assists as deacon and also serves Christ Church Glendale. Music is led by Music Director Neil Stewart, with Jerome Johnson directing the Gospel Music Director's work on the Sundays when the Gospel Choir leads the singing. The parish's good-natured shorthand for that monthly celebration is "Gospel Choir Sunday," and visitors who arrive on the fourth Sunday of the month should expect a fuller, louder, and more rhythmically driven service than the rest of the month.
On those same fourth Sundays, children are invited into the church's life through Children's Sunday School, held during the 10:00 worship hour so that families can worship together without leaving their kids behind. The rest of the month, children are welcome to remain in the pews with their families.
Beliefs and Identity
St. Andrew's describes its beliefs in straightforward language. God loves human beings even when they hurt one another, hurt creation, and hurt God, and continually calls them to do better. The life, ministry, and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ is the church's central example of that love. Every person, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or economic circumstance, is a beloved child of God.
The parish is open and affirming and LGBTQ+ affirming, and it situates that stance within its Anglican identity. "We are traditional, forward-moving, and sacramental," the parish writes, summarizing its self-understanding as an Episcopal community. The Diocese of Southern Ohio is the regional body to which St. Andrew's belongs, and the parish participates in diocesan life, including the Minority Empowerment Initiative Trust (MEIT) grants program.
This combination of historic Black church identity, progressive Episcopal theology, and neighborhood-rooted ministry gives St. Andrew's a particular flavor. The parish sees itself as engaged in the work of cultural change and healing, both inside its walls and on the streets of Evanston.
The Food Pantry
The St. Andrew's Food Pantry has become one of the most visible ministries of the parish. Open Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., the pantry is run from the side door of the church, off the parking lot, and serves neighbors from Evanston and beyond. Volunteers distribute groceries along with some clothing and hygiene items. The pantry is directed by Jackie Parrish.
To receive assistance, neighbors are asked to bring an ID or a utility bill showing their current address and to wear a face mask, which the pantry will provide if needed. The pantry is closed on major holidays and on election days, when the building is given over to civic use. The simplicity of the operation - one door, two afternoons a week, a steady supply of fresh and canned food - has made it a reliable presence in the neighborhood.
The Community Justice HUB and Afterschool Program
St. Andrew's most ambitious community venture is the Community Justice HUB, which houses the parish's afterschool program. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on days that Cincinnati Public Schools are in session, and is free to families on a pay-what-you-can basis. The HUB accepts up to 25 scholars at a time and provides a structured environment, homework help, snacks, water, and dinner.
Two weekly offerings give the program its distinctive shape. On Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m., a STEM course is taught by STEAM BUILDERS. On Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., the scholars gather for African Drumming. The HUB also weaves in trauma-informed care connection groups, recognizing that the children it serves often carry more than schoolwork into the afternoon. Parents who are interested in enrolling a child can apply by contacting the program through simplyjrj@gmail.com.
Beyond the afterschool program, the Community Justice HUB also runs court advocacy services. Court advocates help families understand how the courts work, walk them through the juvenile justice process, and help children build personal profiles so that public defenders see the whole child rather than only the allegations. Group information sessions bring parents together so that no one walks that road alone. These services are open to anyone in the community who needs them, not just St. Andrew's parishioners.
Music and the Arts
Music has long been central to worship at St. Andrew's, and the parish maintains two distinct musical traditions. Neil Stewart serves as Music Director, leading the congregation's regular sung worship within the Anglican repertoire. Jerome Johnson directs the Gospel Choir, which leads worship on the fourth Sunday of each month. Together, the two traditions give the parish a worship life that is at once liturgical and expressive.
The Allen Rohan Crite painting "Streetcar Madonna" anchors the church's visual culture. The 1946 work, which has become iconic in African-American religious art, hangs in the church and is featured prominently on the parish's printed materials. It is a reminder of the parish's roots and of the generations of Black mothers and children who have shaped the neighborhood.
Leadership and Governance
The parish is led by The Rev. Christopher Slane as Priest-in-Charge, with The Rev. Dcn. Anne Reed assisting as deacon. The Senior Warden is The Hon. Tyrone K. Yates, a former judge, and the Junior Warden is Jim Williams. Neil Stewart directs the parish's music program, with Jerome Johnson directing the Gospel Choir. Jackie Parrish directs the food pantry. Deborah Harris serves as Administrator. The vestry includes Natalie Hayes, Leroy Staples, Dr. Victoria Wulsin, Katrina Mundy, Vincent Nealy, and Cindy Starr, who also serves as Clerk of the Vestry. John Childress serves as sexton.
Parishioners and visitors can support the church's ministry through online giving, and Sunday worship is available both in person and via the parish's YouTube livestream. The food pantry and afterschool program are funded in part by the parish and in part by grants and donations from the wider community. For the leadership at St. Andrew's, the work is the same work that has animated the parish since 1894: to be a place of embrace on Rutland Avenue, and to bring the love of God into the daily life of Evanston.