SPC Partners for Holiday in the Village

On Dec. 14, St. Philip’s College was front and center as La Villita Historic Arts Village hosted its first annual "Holiday in the Village." This free, family-friendly event blended San Antonio’s rich cultural history with holiday festivities, celebrating the legacy of St. Philip's College—founded in La Villita in 1898.

From 1 to 8 p.m., visitors enjoyed the excitement of the winter wonderland, with live music, festive foods, a holiday market, and interactive activities for all ages. The event, a collaboration between La Villita Historic Arts Village, Chef Johnny Hernandez’s Kitchen Campus Foundation and St. Philip’s College, offered a unique blend of history and holiday.

One of the event's highlights was the dedication of a life-sized Holiday Cottage, built by 20 students from St. Philip’s College’s Construction Technology program. The structure, standing 15 feet tall, honors the original site of the college, which began in La Villita over 126 years ago. The dedication was by Dr. Adena Williams Loston, President of St. Philip’s College.

“This holiday project is a perfect example of our students applying their skills to bring history and culture to life. The structure that served as the first site of St. Philip’s School still stands here at La Villita, and this project honors our college’s rich legacy,” said St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston.

The event also featured a Gingerbread House Competition, with three teams of Baking and Pastry students from St. Philip’s College competing for scholarships. The competition, led by Chef Instructor Cynthia De La Fuente, allowed students to showcase their creativity.

La Villita holds a special place in St. Philip’s history. Founded in 1898 as a vocational school, it has grown into a multi-campus college serving over 17,000 students and offering 47 workforce programs, including Baking and Pastry and Construction Technology.