The Fox Chapel Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion with 70 million Christians. We trace our roots through the Church of England to the Twelve Apostles. We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation.  The Episcopal vision of the Church is to be as all-embracing as God's love. That means we will be catholic in faith, reformed in doctrine, evangelical in devotion, liberal in service, and charismatic in empowerment.

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The seeds of the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church were planted by the diocese prior to 1924 when St. Martins Mission was established in Aspinwall. A lay reader held services weekly for 6 to 10 people, with celebration of the Eucharist four times a year. In 1926, the first Sunday School welcomed some fifteen children.

In 1931 Sunday School was initiated in Fox Chapel in a basement assembly room in Rowe Hall at Shady Side Academy. The service was held at 9:20 to enable adults to get the n:oo service at Calvary Church in East Liberty. During World War II, The Rev. Arthur B. Kinsolving, Rector of Calvary, conducted vesper services in Rowe Hall.

On February 28, 1943, the first congregational meeting was held and the name “Fox Chapel Community Church” tentatively adopted. In April 1945, the Diocese offered to furnish a clergyman and establish our church as an aided parish of the diocese. The Rev. Francis A. Cox was installed as Priest-in-Charge the following December.

A reed organ, purchased for $75.00, was kept in a cupboard between services. The first furnishings, among which was a lectern featuring the eagle still in use today, came from a small Episcopal Church which was being dismantled in New Kensington.

On Easter Day in 1946, the congregation agreed to purchase the Earl Gould house with 17 acres of property on Squaw Run Road East for $45,000. The second floor became an apartment for the rector. A pipe organ from the Ralph Flynn house was given to the church in time for use at the first service, on Thanksgiving Day, 1946. Services were held in the former dining room (currently the parlor, with the altar in front of the fireplace and the organ pipes in an adjoining breakfast room. During this time, construction of the present chance] and other alterations were proceeding.

The cornerstone of the new chance! was laid in June 1948. The first service was held the following October, accommodating 120 children enrolled in the Sunday School. In April 1950 the congregation approved a formal agreement with the Fox Chapel Country Day School to establish an elementary school, which started in 1954 with kindergarten and first grade. In 1960 the school, by then pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, officially affiliated with the parish and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

During 1952, a second Sunday service was added; Coffee Hour was initiated and construction of the Rectory began. In May 1953, the Diocesan Convention approved the incorporation of the Fox Chapel Community Church as a parish of the Diocese.

The Reverend Harold E. Towne succeeded Dr. Cox as Rector in 1957. Six years later the final payment was made on the mortgage and a three-manual Schantz organ was installed. The organ was enlarged, revoiced and completed in 1978. The organ received another major refurbishment in 2006.

The Reverend James M. Dix served as Rector from 1970 until he died of cancer in 1995. During these years the church spire and bell were installed as memorials and a 128 niche Columbarium was established on church grounds.

In July 1996 the Reverend C. Bradley Wilson was called as the fourth Rector of Fox Chapel Episcopal Church. He led the church until July 2008, when he resigned to pursue a PhD degree. The church remains in the hands of the Reverend Andrew Ray, Priest in Charge and the Reverend Dr. Leander Harding, Senior Priest. The Rev. Elizabeth Rodewald is Deacon and former Archdeacon.

At our annual meeting in January 2009 the parish affirmed by a more than 60% majority to stay with the newly realigned Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. We now are ready to call our fifth Rector, who will lead both the conservative majority and those who voted to remain in TEC.