Presented at the Saint David’s Summer Series By Samantha Lucas On July 13 , 2022
Parish History and Archives CommitteeSaint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
• Resolution from the General Convention of… The Episcopal Church 2006
• “the institution of slavery … was and is a sin and a fundamental betrayal of the humanity of all persons who were involved”
• “acknowledge [our] history of participation in this sin and the deep and lasting injury”
• “urge every Diocese to collect and document during the next triennium detailed information in its community on
• (a) the complicity of The Episcopal Church in the institution of slavery and in the subsequent history of segregation and discrimination and
• (b) the economic benefits The Episcopal Church derived from the institution of slavery”
• “how the Church can be “the repairer of the breach” (Isaiah 58:12), both materially and relationally, and achieve the spiritual healing and reconciliation that will lead us to a new life in Christ”
Life for African Americans in Pennsylvania in the 1700s and 1800s
What About Saint David’s?
Adens Family
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
King of England signs over Pennsylvania to William Penn.
Missionaries start preaching to individuals in the area.
in
King of England signs over Pennsylvania to William Penn.
Missionaries start preaching to individuals in the area.
St. David’s (Radnor) church erected.
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
of England signs over Pennsylvania to William Penn.
start preaching to individuals in the area.
episcopal churches allow African Americans to attend.
enslaved Africans arrive in what would become PA.
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
King of England signs over Pennsylvania to William Penn.
start preaching to individuals in the area.
episcopal churches allow African Americans to attend.
Currie reports on African American population.
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
David’s (Radnor) church
start preaching to individuals in the area.
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
allow African
to attend.
on
for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in
David’s (Radnor) church erected.
churches allow African Americans to attend.
Rev. Currie reports on African American population.
Pennsylvania Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780.
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas founded by Absalom Jones.
Saint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
History and Archives Committee
Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery
David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
History
Archives
Currie reports on African American population
Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780.
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas founded by Absalom Jones.
Amendment to the Constitution.
Saint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
History and Archives Committee
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas founded by Absalom Jones.
13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Pennsylvania Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780.
History and Archives CommitteeSaint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas founded by Absalom Jones.
Saint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
of England signs over Pennsylvania to William Penn.
David’s
church erected.
American
on
Episcopal Church of St. Thomas founded by Absalom Jones.
First enslaved Africans arrive in what would become PA.
Missionaries start preaching to individuals in the area.
David’s (Radnor)
allow
Americans to attend.
Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in
Church
History
Archives Committee
Both free and enslaved African
Most free African Americans lived in Philadelphia
30,000 enslaved people in PA in 1766
people worked as domestic servants, on farms, ironworks, and ship building
David’s (Radnor)
• Members of our clergy and parish owned enslaved people
• Over 40 potential owners of enslaved people involved with Saint David’s from its inception to 1915
• Free (presumably) African Americans were present at our church in the 1700s and 1800s
• Efforts were made to provide for the religious instruction and inclusion of enslaved people but was met with resistance (except 1 family)
Saint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
• Only individuals other than Moses Meyhew to be indicated as being African American in Pleasants book
• Took communion at St. David’s in 1845
• Cloe, George 17 (brother), Harriet (daughter), and Mary Ann (daughter) all buried at St. David’s in unmarked
graves
• Unknown how they came to be associated with St. David’s
Parish History and Archives CommitteeSaint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church aiming to tell story of Wilton’s enslaved people
REPRESSION TO REPARATIONS: THE LONG ROAD: Are US churches setting the tone for reparations? How a movement is growing
Bucks County Quakers honor 'forgotten slaves' buried in unmarked graves
Slavery is part of Philadelphia suburbs' history (inquirer.com)
The true story of slavery in Philadelphia can be heard at Christ Church (inquirer.com)
Parish History and Archives CommitteeSaint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
Continue to research and confirm early members of St. David’s that “owned” enslaved men and women
Unveil more stories of the enslaved men and women as well as free African Americans that are connected to Saint David’s
Further analyze the economic impact on the church that can be attributed to the exploitation of enslaved people
Compile all work in a format which is publicly available and easy to understand with proper citations
Saint David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church