A service to celebrate the Rev. Absalom Jones and the Rev. RIchard Allen was held on February 17 at Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans.
Rev. Absalom Jones (1746-1818) was the first black Episcopal priest and the pastor of the first black Episcopal congregation. Rev. Richard Allen (1760 – 1831) founded the first national black church in the United States, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Both men were born into slavery and their lives and legacy are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and their commitment to the causes of freedom, justice, and self-determination. They were ministers, educators, writers, and two of America’s most active and influential black leaders. We honor them for their faith and persistence in laying the groundwork for all of us today to worship freely in the church of our choice.
The service was sponsored by: Curtis Sisco Chapter of The Union of Black Episcopalians with support from
Racial Reconciliation Commission of EDOLA, Historic St. James A.M.E. Church, Louisiana Conference of A.M.E. Church, St John’s A.M.E. Church and Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans.
