Allen, The Reverend Philip C. “Father Allen”
age 75, of Mpls., died March 22, 2010. Father Allen, an Oglala Lakota, was born on March 18, 1935 at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He was educated in public schools while living in homes operated by the Episcopal Church, including Bishop Hare Boys’ Home in Mission, South Dakota. He graduated from Black Hills State College in 1959, and Yale Divinity School in 1962. He was conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 1992 for work done to advance the cause of Native American ministries throughout and beyond the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. He spent his ministry primarily in the Indian mission field, including the Dioceses of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah and Navajoland. He served on numerous national committees for the Episcopal Church, including the National Executive Council and the Coalition for Human Needs Commission, through which he helped implement a new model for Indian ministries. He was instrumental in the discernment, formation and ordination of Native American priests throughout Indian country, including eleven priests in Minnesota. Preceded in death by wife, Helen; brother, Donald; parents, Martin & Blossom. Survived by children, Susan (Vivian), Joseph (Rebecca) and Martha; grandchildren, Philip, Shavaun, Daniella, Anthony, Zoe and Sadie; great-grandchildren, Mallori, Shaw, Sanje, Hayden and Eden; sisters, Carol, Doris, Peggy, Cathy and Judy; many nieces and nephews. Service Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2:00 PM, Cathedral Church of St. Marks, 519 Oak Grove. Visitation Friday, 5:00 PM going all night at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3044 Longfellow Ave. Interment Monday, March 29th, 2:00 PM in Mission, SD. Memorials to grandchildren’s education fund.