Celebrating Black History Month: Timeline of African American Presbyterians

We have access to a wonderful historical resource through the Presbyterian Historical Society—a timeline celebrating the work and witness of African American Presbyterians.  It begins in 1801 with John Chavis, a freeman, who was appointed by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. as a “missionary to his own people.” Chavis was a circuit rider for 6 years, preaching to enslaved and free Black people in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. He then settled in Raleigh and continue to serve as a roving minister.

The timeline goes through 2022 with a final entry about the Rev. Gloria J. Tate, who, upon her retirement as pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Teaneck, was the longest-serving African American female pastor in our denomination.

Here are a couple of other interesting entries:

*Did you know that NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose life and work was portrayed in the film “Hidden Figures”, was a life-long Presbyterian?

*The Siloam Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, founded by the Rev. Dr. James A. Gloucester in 1849 was one of several Black independent churches founded in Brooklyn in the first half of the 19th century. The Siloam church was heavily involved in the Underground Railroad. It continues to actively serve the Bed Stuy community.

Here is the link to the timeline.  We hope you’ll take some time to peruse it and discover more of the rich history of African American Presbyterians during Black History Month.

https://www.sutori.com/en/story/african-american-presbyterians--rRZvKsWSKABMX1iEEoUdniHQ