Honoring the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas on the occasion of their 215th Year Anniversary.

WHEREAS, The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas was founded in 1792 by and for persons of African descent to foster personal and religious freedom and self-determination; and

WHEREAS, The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas has served for 215 years as a source of comfort and hope for the dispirited, cultivated fellowship among the faithful, and united the community in hope and peace; and

WHEREAS, The Church and its members are celebrating their history of 215 years this year and are attempting to continue to fulfill the dreams of their founder, the Reverend Absalom Jones; and

WHEREAS, The Church’s liturgy has evolved over the years from a traditional Anglican/Episcopal high church worship experience to one that is enriched with an evangelical Afrocentric focus; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Absalom Jones, the founder of the Church, became the first Episcopal priest of African American descent and the first rector of St. Thomas’ Church; and

WHEREAS, Even though Absalom Jones was born into slavery in Delaware in 1746 he grew to become one of the foremost leaders among persons of African descent during the post-Revolutionary period; and

WHEREAS, This Church has led countless charitable and humanitarian efforts, reaching out to all members of the community in need of guidance and support; and

WHEREAS, The Church members intend to embrace their future while continuing the never ending endeavor to uplift the African American Community as an open Christ centered congregation of faith of which the Gospel is Taught, Lived and Spread; and

WHEREAS, On December 26, 2002, the Vestry called Father Martini Shaw to be the seventeenth rector of The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council honors The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas on the occasion of their 215th Year Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to the Very Reverend Father Martini Shaw as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this Legislative Body.

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