Alexander Crummell: Founder of the Union of Black Episcopalians

Today the Church remembers and honors Alexander Crummell who was born in New York City in 1819.  He wished to become a priest, but received many rebuffs because he was black. James Kiefer tells is that Crummell was ordained in the Diocese of Massachusetts in 1844 when he was 25 years old, but he was excluded from a meeting of priests of the diocese.  As a result, Crummell decided to go to England.   

In England, he went to and after his graduation, he went to Liberia. There Crummell hoped to see established in Liberia a black Christian republic, combining the best of European and African culture, and led by a Western-educated black bishop. He visited the United States and urged blacks to join him in Liberia to swell the ranks of the church there; however, his work in Liberia ran into opposition and indifference.  Crummell returned to the United States, where he undertook the founding and strengthening of urban black congregations that would provide worship, education, and social services for their communities. When some bishops proposed a separate missionary district for black parishes, he organized a group, now known as the Union of Black Episcopalians, to fight the proposal. That organization is well and alive today!

Let us pray:  Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Alexander Crummell, whom you called to preach the Gospel to those who were far off and to those who were near. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Lord’s Prayer Study begins this Sunday at 11:00 a.m.  Materials will be available. Please come and join this study and grow in your faith.

Bishop’s Committee Meeting is this Sunday starting immediately after the Eucharist.

Art Show begins Saturday, 22 September with a reception at 6:00 p.m.

St. Vincent’s Day celebration on 29 September with Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Patricia and Spurgeon.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550