Documentary 'The Philadelphia Eleven' Coming To St. Peter's Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — To mark the 50th anniversary of women being allowed to become priests in the Episcopal Church, St. Peter's in Morristown is inviting the public to a special film showing.

The church, at 70 Maple Avenue, will host a screening of a documentary called "The Philadelphia Eleven" on Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to register online at stpetersmorristown.org to reserve a seat.

The Philadelphia Eleven are a group of women who challenged the church and put themselves at personal risk by pushing for ordination in the priesthood. This film tells the story of these women and sheds light on these pivotal events, which took place in 1974 at a church in Philadelphia.

One of the Eleven, the Rev. Nancy H. Wittig, will share her insights and reflections after the screening during a panel. Wittig was also curate at St. Peter's in 1974, the church said.

Joining Wittig will be the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox, Rector of Christ Church in Bloomfield and Glen Ridge; and the Rev. Danielle D. Baker, Priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Morris Plains and a member of St. Peter's.

For more information, click here or contact office administrator Katie Cannon at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 973-538-0555. The event is part of the church's annual Spong Lecture Series.