Black History Is American History: Celebrating Absalom Jones

As we highlight the stories of Black Americans who have impacted American life and culture, and who share a connection with the Episcopal Church, this week we look at the life and witness of The Rev. Absalom Jones. Jones was America’s first Black priest. He was born in slavery, but studied at a night school for African Americans ran by Quakers. When he was released from slavery in 1784, he served as a lay minister at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church with his friend Richard Allen. Together they established the Free African Society to aid in the emancipation of slaves and to offer sustenance and spiritual support to widows, orphans, and the poor.

Thanks to Jones and Allen’s active evangelism, Black membership at St. George’s grew. However, alarmed by the rise in Black attendance, the Vestry decided to segregate these parishioners into the upstairs gallery for worship, not giving any forewarning. This prompted their immediate departure from the congregation.

Soon after Jones and Allen, with the help of local Quakers and Episcopalians founded the “First African Church” in Philadelphia. The church later applied to join the Episcopal Church, giving the diocese three requirements: the church must be received as an already organized body; it must have control over its own affairs; and Jones must be licensed as lay-reader and if qualified, ordained as its minister.

The church was accepted into the Diocese of Pennsylvania and was renamed the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. The following year, Jones became a deacon, but was not ordained a priest until 1802. Jones continued to be a leader in his community, founding a day school for African Americans who were excluded from public school, the Female Benevolent Society, and an African Friendly Society. In 1800 he called upon Congress to abolish the slave trade and to provide for gradual emancipation of existing slaves.

Our church celebrates the Feast of Absalom Jones on February 13. This year, you can observe this feast day in the following ways:

Join the Diocese of Atlanta in "A Service of Celebration: The Life and Ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones" on February 14 at 10:00am EST.

Attend "An Evening Prayer Celebration of Absalom Jones," hosted by the Pacific Northwest Union of Black Episcopalians. February 21 at 3:00pm. Zoom link here.

Bishop Curry is also inviting Episcopalians to commemorate the day by giving to the Absalom Jones Fund Campaign to assist Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Collect for the Feast of Absalom Jones

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Adapted from Episcopal Archives https://episcopalarchives.org/church-awakens/exhib...