The African Episcopal Church of St Thomas
Share a story
Originally established as the African Church, The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas was founded in 1792 by and for persons of African descent to foster personal and religious freedoms and self-determination. The original African Church was an outgrowth of the Free African Society -a mutual aid organization established in 1787 by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen and others -to assist the Black population in Philadelphia. The early religious services were held in private homes and in a school. Within the congregation were many who -because of growing racial tension and insults -had followed the lay preachers, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, in an historic walkout from St. George’s Methodist Church. Affiliation with the Episcopal Church was ratified in 1794. The Reverend Absalom Jones became the first Episcopal priest of African American descent and the first rector of St. Thomas’ Church.The original church house was constructed at 5th and Adelphi Streets in Philadelphia, now St. James Place, and dedicated on July 17, 1794. Subsequent locations of the church included: 12th Street below Walnut; 57th and Pearl Streets, (uniting with the Church of the Beloved Disciple); 52nd and Parrish Streets; and the current location, Overbrook and Lancaster Avenues (formerly St. Paul’s Overbrook) in Philadelphia’s historic Overbrook Farms neighborhood. The congregation has continued to be predominately African American.
The parish’s Eucharist-centered 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.
St. Thomas has been in the vanguard of action to sustain the legacy of humanitarianism and community outreach passed down from its founders. St. Thomas’ clergy and parishioners have played key roles in the abolition/anti-slavery/ underground railroad movements and the early equal rights movement of the 1800’s. Over the past fifty years, St. Thomas has figured prominently in the civil rights movement, The NAACP, Union of Black Episcopalians, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Philadelphia Interfaith Action and The Episcopal Church Women. Paramount, however, has been the movement to uphold the knowledge and value of the Black presence in the Episcopal Church. Today, that tradition continues with an ever-growing membership and through a host of ministries such as Christian Formation, the Chancel Choir, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Men’s Fellowship, Young Adult and Youth Ministries, a Church School, Health Ministry, Caring Ministry, and a Shepherding Program.
On November 10, 1996, the church dedicated the Absalom Jones Chapel with a Festal Eucharist and enshrined his ashes in the altar. In addition, the Absalom Jones Memorial Stained Glass Window was installed and dedicated in July 1997. A stained glass window featuring Black Saints, and Black Bishops past and present was also installed in 2000.
Today, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas flourishes as an open, Christ-centered community of faith where the Gospel is taught, lived and spread.
Worship times
Ministries
The Tree of Life Prison Ministry
The purpose of the Criminal Justice Ministry (Prison Ministry) at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, is to nuture God’s gift of redemption through Jesus The Christ. This gift frees us from inactivity by reaching out to those in prison. With a renewed understanding of our ministry, not as a people victimized by injustice but as converters of our unmerited suffering into reestablishing God-given powers to those incarcerated. Our prison ministry is young and growing. We are blessed to serve and Episcopal congregation, St. Dimas, behind the walls of Graterford Correctional Institution, at Graterford, PA. We seek volunteers to worship with inmates during mass, for our pen pal connection, participate in a Christmas Party and gift giving for inmates’ children, who we hope to mentor after Christmas. We are there for the families of inmates to the best of our ability. Pro Boro Legal Service ( PBLS) is much needed. We hope to create an advocate hotline for issues of importance to the advancement of justice. We are looking at a nationwide program that mentors children of inmates. As you can see, all volunteering is not face to face with inmates. Prison officials recommend all services to inmates. A prison ministry is very wide in scope. The same physical conditions exist in prison that exists on the outside. Young prisoners grow old, older prisoners grow older. They deal with health problems, family problems, broken homes without fathers and mother (female imprisonment is on the increase). From our blessing of Freedom, we can serve the lease of them.
Chosen 300 Ministries
Mission:
To bring people of different membership groups together; helping them to realize that despite our differences in our race, ethnic group, denomination, social class, economic classes, or the diverse ways we practice our faith; we can unify ourselves for the common good.
Purpose:
The purpose of our unification is to distribute meals and services to the homeless.
2010 Schedule:
6 times a year, third Friday every other month:
Feb 21th, April 18th, June 20th, Aug 15th, Oct 17th, & Dec 19th
Origin and History
In early 1995, Rev. Brian Jenkins had a vision to bring Christians of different denominations and backgrounds together for a one-night prayer service. On Sept.29, 1995, He and his wife Shandai Jenkins led an all-night worship and prayer service for 300 Christians. The service was based around the theme of Gideon (Judges: 6 & 7) who chose 300 men to fight against the Midianites. A year later 1996, Rev. Jenkins and Shandai ran into a homeless gentleman after coming from the theater one night. They ministered to him and gave him their only forty cents. That experience sparked them to feed the people in Center City, Philadelphia. Since that Tuesday in 1996, the two have organized the distribution of more than 400,000 meals to the homeless of Center City. There are now 44 local Churches, from different denominations & races that are part of the Chosen 300 Alliance to feed the homeless. The ministry now reaches around the world with international support sites.
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas meets Chosen 300
Tim Barksdale asked God what was next after completing his term as President of AECST Men's Ministry & Fellowship. The answer came when Rev. Fr. Bonney invited Rev. Brian Jenkins to speak to St. Thomas about his calling. Tim was so energized by that presentation of June 2008, that he immediately contacted Rev.Jenkins about leading the church on the mission of feeding the homeless. After getting Rev. Fr. Shaw's blessing, Tim signed up over 120 volunteers from the congregation and raised the money to make this AECST/Chosen 300 alliance an official St. Thomas outreach ministry.
Today with the help of Dr. Barbara Savage, Steve Buck, Isaac Barber, Tom Lynch, Cynthia Muse and a devoted group of St. Thomas volunteers, close to 300 people are fed and ministered to on the 3rd Friday of every other month. The group continues to thrive from the support provided by the church guilds, music ministries, and dedicated St. Thomas donors. Cathi Tillman, George Otey & Barry Frye remain loyal organizer of bread, dessert and beverage donations for this organization.
The AECST Gospel choir was named Choir of the year by the Alliance for their uplifting music. Vgr. Hannum, Rev. Fr. Bonney and Pastor Sadie share spiritual leadership of the group. Father Shaw serves regularly.
Your Help Will Make A Difference
We ask for at least two hours between 11am to 4 pm to help prepare and pack food at the Church or 5:30pm to 8pm to serve at the Chosen 300 Center, 1116 Spring Garden and Ridge Avenue 19123. We accept monetary donations and look for each church organization to participate for at least 2 hours one month of the year. Teens can receive Community Service Credits.
Call Tim Barksdale at 215-868-6766 or email: chosen300@aecst.org for questions or to volunteer.
For more information, click to visit CHOSEN 300 MINISTRIES website.
Tim Barksdale
Community Thrift Shop
To provide strong, financial support to the parish and diocesan endeavors, and to contribute to community outreach activities. The St. Thomas Thrift Shop is a focal point for collection and distribution of rejuvenated goods, and fosters fellowship and a sense of community to those who frequent the shop, and well as to those who donate their time and talent to its workforce. The Thrift Shop is open on selected days during the week and on Saturdays. Meetings are held as called by the director.
The Rewarding Educational Experience Program (REEP)
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas has partnered with the Overbrook Elementary to provide support to our elementary youth in their pursuit of excellence in their early education. We provide tutoring, mentoring for testing, and support for their annual career days.
The REEP committee encourages other ministries in the church to support the Overbrook Elementary School whenever they consider a youth project. Principal, Kathleen McCladdie, the Home and School president, teachers and students have visited St. Thomas to worship with us and thank us for our assistance.
We are presently seeking volunteers for the school for one hour a week. You may listen to a child read, help in the library, or tutor a group of children. Please consider joining this effort. Our children are our future. They are willing and eager to embrace a caring adult to help them succeed. The Rewarding Educational Experience Program needs you.
Call our office; 215-473-3065, or Lynn Joell; 215-473-1115. "To whom much is given, much is required."
Cynthia Muse, Chair
Cecelia Robinson, Co-chair
AIDS Walk
Mwamba
Mwamba Church Ministries International (MCMI) is a Christian organization established in 2000 by The Rev Emmanuel Chemengich (Coordinator) in conjunction with The Rev. Rock Schuler (Chairman), Rector, The Church of the Holy Trinity, Lansdale, PA; The Rev. Marek Zabriskie, Rector, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh, PA; and Bishop Stephen Kewasis of the Diocese of Kitale in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). Rev. Chemengich, a priest born, trained, and ordained in the same Diocese, plans to return to Kenya upon completion of his studies here in the U.S. "Mwamba" is a Kiswahili word for "rock" and represents the stability that Mwamba Ministries seeks to establish for the Kenyan Church.
Mission Field
Mwamba Ministries targets the area covered by the Anglican Diocese of Kitale stretching 400 miles north-south, and 200 miles east-west, situated in the north-western corner of Kenya, East Africa. Kitale Diocese has an Anglican Christian population of 150,000 people and 44 clergy serving it. 75% of this region lies under a semi-desert climatic condition, hence economically disadvantaged. Kitale Diocese is a newly formed diocese having been established in 1997.
For more information, click to visit Mwamba's website.
Blood Drive
Men's Fellowship
They meet third Saturday of the month @ 8:30 am except for July and August.
Key Programs/Activities:
Sick & Shut In Outreach (Phone & Visits)
Day of Reflection
Chosen 300 (Feeding the homeless_
Lenten Dinner
Watch Night Vigil
Men R Cooking
Father's Day Bowling Party
Men's Day
Church Outing (Picnic) Logistics
Youth Outreach & Support (Boys Scouts & Girls Friendly)
News about The African Episcopal Church of St Thomas
Share a story
2021 Becoming Beloved Community Grant Recipient - In the Beginning: Telling the Truth About Our Churches and Race at the Founding
In the beginning: Telling the Truth About Our Churches and Race at the Founding, Christ Church, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, St. Peter’s Church Philadelphia, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, $7,000
6361 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19151-2622
United States
Contact
