THE FEAST OF ABSALOM JONES

Dear Beloved Members of St. Gregory's,

On Friday, February 6, our Beloved Community ministry at St. Gregory's is sponsoring our Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church, at 6 pm, followed by a reception with "lite bites" provided by our own Meals with Meaning ministry. 

Absalom Jones was born into slavery in 1746. He was fond of learning. He taught himself to read and write using primers he purchased with the pennies that he saved. He began attending a Quaker School at night to further his education. He married Mary, a fellow enslaved person at age 24 and brought her freedom through savings, loans and donations from friends. He then worked for another eight years late into the evenings to earn the money to purchase his own freedom. In 1784, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, he and his friend Richard Allen, began attending St. George's Methodist Church and served as lay preachers ministering to spiritual needs of the black community in Philadelphia. 

Their ministry was so successful that the black members of the congregation began to outnumber the white members. Alarmed, the vestry instituted a policy of segregating the black worshippers. In response Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, along with the black members, left St. George's. Richard Allen started a new domination, the African Episcopal Methodist Church, while Absalom Jones and most of the black congregation joined the Episcopal Church forming St. Thomas African Church. Jones was licensed as a lay reader and eventually priested by Bishop William White in 1802—the first black man to receive Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church.

Blessed Absalom was a forceful preacher, especially denouncing slavery and warning those who enslaved others to "clean their hands of slaves." He was also known as a gentle, loving pastor who cared diligently for his flock. After a time of effective and sacrificial ministry in Philadelphia during an outbreak of Yellow Fever, Jones was formally recognized for his work and affectionately became known as "the Black Bishop of the Episcopal Church." 

Sadly, recently, a plaque honoring both Richard Allen and Absalom Jones in Philadelphia was removed by the National Park Service. However, St. Gregory's and the Episcopal Church continue to remember and celebrate his life and ministry. For our church, he represents the significant and ongoing contribution of African Americans in shaping the life of our church. He also represents a symbol of racial healing and reconciliation as we, together, with God's grace, seek to build the Beloved Community.

Blessings in Christ,

Andrew+

Rector of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church

Click here to view The Feast of Absalom Jones service from Friday, February 6, 2026.