All are invited to attend “Charting a Legacy: African Americans in the Episcopal Church, Past and Present” on January 10, 2026, sponsored by the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church and presented at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 3801 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. St. Thomas has the distinction of being the first Black Episcopal Church in Chicago, with a continuing mission “not to be just a strong Black parish, but a parish that is wholly Christian, reaching out to those in the surrounding community who need to see the manifestation of God’s love through his people.”

The program features multiple speakers with time allowed for questions and discussion.

• The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey, Chaplain at Williams College, is leading an effort to build a comprehensive timeline of African American history within the Episcopal Church.
• Member of the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.
• Dr. Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Princeton University, serves as Research Historian for the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey’s Reparations Commission.
• The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Historiographer of The Episcopal Church, will moderate the program.

The program will take place Saturday, January 10, 2026 starting at 2:30 p.m. with light refreshments. The featured speakers start at 3:00 p.m. and the session ends at 5:00 p.m. with a short prayer service. In-person attendance is encouraged and there is no cost to attend. St. Thomas has ample street parking. The program will be recorded and shared publicly.

To help us prepare, please RSVP to administration@hsec.us.

The Historical Society is an Affiliate Member of the American Historical Association, which will hold its 139th Annual Meeting in Chicago. Dr. Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski will also be presenting at the AHA. If you are interested in attending the AHA session, contact Matthew Payne at mpayne@hsec.us.