Photojournalist Anthony S. Karen gained rare access to the Westboro Baptist Church in 2008 and 2011. Here Pastor Fred Phelps is seen in his home office in 2011. Phelps founded the Phelps Chartered Law Firm in 1964 and had several notable civil rights cases. He was disbarred in Kansas in 1979.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Photojournalist Anthony S. Karen gained rare access to the Westboro Baptist Church in 2008 and 2011. Here Pastor Fred Phelps is seen in his home office in 2011. Phelps founded the Phelps Chartered Law Firm in 1964 and had several notable civil rights cases. He was disbarred in Kansas in 1979.
Anthony S. Karen
Phelps leads Sunday services at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, in 2008.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Phelps leads Sunday services at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, in 2008.
Anthony S. Karen
Former member Megan Phelps-Roper, at the time a 25-year-old law office secretary and logistics coordinator for the church, pickets on Gage Road in Topeka. Gage Park was known to some as a "cruising" or meet up location in the gay community in the late 80s and early 90s. The first protest was held blocks from the Phelps home in June 1991, when, according to Phelps, a homosexual tried to lure his then 5-year-old grandson into some shrubbery The family still protests daily at this location.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Former member Megan Phelps-Roper, at the time a 25-year-old law office secretary and logistics coordinator for the church, pickets on Gage Road in Topeka. Gage Park was known to some as a "cruising" or meet up location in the gay community in the late 80s and early 90s. The first protest was held blocks from the Phelps home in June 1991, when, according to Phelps, a homosexual tried to lure his then 5-year-old grandson into some shrubbery The family still protests daily at this location.
Anthony S. Karen
Shirley Phelps-Roper, then a 54-year-old law office manager, adjusts a makeshift skirt she routinely wears during pickets.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Shirley Phelps-Roper, then a 54-year-old law office manager, adjusts a makeshift skirt she routinely wears during pickets.
Anthony S. Karen
Phelps embraces one of his grandchildren following a service that highlighted the evils of homosexuality. The content of each Sunday service was written by Phelps and lasts an hour.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Phelps embraces one of his grandchildren following a service that highlighted the evils of homosexuality. The content of each Sunday service was written by Phelps and lasts an hour.
Anthony S. Karen
Chapter 18 verse 22 from the Old Testament book of Leviticus is the foundation of the church's intolerance toward homosexuality. Westboro Baptist Church claims to be the only true church and denounces all others.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Chapter 18 verse 22 from the Old Testament book of Leviticus is the foundation of the church's intolerance toward homosexuality. Westboro Baptist Church claims to be the only true church and denounces all others.
Anthony S. Karen
The church is an extension of Phelps' home, which is in a middle-class Topeka neighborhood. In one house, Phelps raised his family, and eventually the neighbors' houses were purchased, effectively creating a compound. All the houses share a large fenced backyard, which includes a full-size pool and basketball and volleyball courts.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
The church is an extension of Phelps' home, which is in a middle-class Topeka neighborhood. In one house, Phelps raised his family, and eventually the neighbors' houses were purchased, effectively creating a compound. All the houses share a large fenced backyard, which includes a full-size pool and basketball and volleyball courts.
Anthony S. Karen
Phelps at his home in Topeka in 2008.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Phelps at his home in Topeka in 2008.
Anthony S. Karen
Once an active member of the Westboro Baptist Church, 27-year-old Libby Phelps was asked to leave the congregation and family home in 2009. Libby was considered rebellious as she began questioning hypocrisies within the church, such as members being asked to pray in a form similar to Salah (Islamic method of praying) and calling to God for the death of various plaintiffs in the 2011 Snyder vs. Phelps case before the Supreme Court. The final decision was based on an intervention regarding the wearing of a bikini. The photograph Libby is holding is of her and her sister Sara, who left the church in 2012.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Once an active member of the Westboro Baptist Church, 27-year-old Libby Phelps was asked to leave the congregation and family home in 2009. Libby was considered rebellious as she began questioning hypocrisies within the church, such as members being asked to pray in a form similar to Salah (Islamic method of praying) and calling to God for the death of various plaintiffs in the 2011 Snyder vs. Phelps case before the Supreme Court. The final decision was based on an intervention regarding the wearing of a bikini. The photograph Libby is holding is of her and her sister Sara, who left the church in 2012.
Anthony S. Karen
Phelps in his home office in 2011.
Pastor Fred Phelps —
Phelps in his home office in 2011.
Anthony S. Karen