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Also naming the 6300 block of Lancaster Avenue as Absalom Jones Way, to commemorate Reverend Absalom Jones and his legacy as an abolitionist, clergyman and the founder of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, the first African Episcopal Church in The United States.
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WHEREAS, Absalom Jones was born enslaved on November 7, 1746, in Sussex, Delaware; and
WHEREAS, While living the early years of his life deprived of his freedom, Reverend Jones was moved to Philadelphia where he worked as a clerk in his enslaver's store. He learned how to read and write, and earned an education by attending an all Black night school; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jones married Mary King and purchased her freedom from her enslaver. In 1784, he was granted his freedom and became a lay preacher at St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, In 1786, Reverend Jones met Richard Allen and together they increased black membership at St. George's by tenfold. Unfortunately, the white members of the congregation were unhappy with the new members and attempted to segregate them in the balcony of the church. As a result, Jones and Allen led a walk-out and founded The Free African Society in 1787; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jones spent his time with The Free African Society by leading the group in their social, political, and humanitarian goals. The organization was dedicated to assisting widows and orphans, as well as assisting with sick relief and burial expenses; and
WHEREAS, Membership in the Free African Society began to grow, and the members wished to affiliate themselves with the Episcopal Church. After parting ways with Richard Allen, Reverend Jones founded The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in 1792; and
WHEREAS, After the founding of St. Thomas, the church was accepted into the Episcopal Diocese. Not long after, Reverend Jones was ordained by Bishop William White as the first African American Episcopal Priest in 1802; and
WHEREAS, The African Episcopa...
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