The Rev. Dr. Wilmot Merchant Appointed Liasion of The Episcopal Church of Liberia to the United States

The Rev. Dr. Wilmot Merchant (left) and the Right Rev. Dr. James Sellee, Bishop of Liberia

The Rev. Cn. Dr. Wilmot T. Merchant II, who serves as rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in North Myrtle Beach, has been appointed liaison of The Episcopal Church of Liberia by The Right Rev. Dr. James B. Sellee, Bishop of Liberia.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) began missionary work in Liberia in the late 1920s and early 1930s. That missionary enterprise led to the creation of the missionary diocese of The Episcopal Church in Liberia. From that period until 1982, TEC oversaw the diocese directly or indirectly. For example, the Episcopal Church House of Bishops always elected and consecrated the missionary Bishop in Liberia until 1970. 

Samuel David Ferguson was born January 1, 1842, in Charleston, South Carolina. When he was six years old his family immigrated to Liberia, and he grew up to become a teacher and then a priest. On April 23, 1884, he was elected Bishop of Liberia at Grace Church, New York. Even though his episcopacy was viewed as an “Experiment of the Liberian Diocese Leadership,” he led the diocese from 1884 to 1916. It was during his episcopacy that the diocese grew and impacted the country. He was one of the first black bishops to sit in the House of Bishops in The Episcopal Church. It was not until 1970 when the first native born Liberian was elected Diocesan Bishop. George Daniel Brown led the diocese from 1970 until his death in 1993.
 
Over the years, the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has been served by many Liberia-born clergy in positions such as chaplain of Voorhees College, priest-in-charge, and rector of congregations. In 2002, Cn. Merchant, a native of Liberia, became the first Black rector in an all-white parish in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. Twenty years later, Cn. Merchant continues to lead St. Stephen’s in North Myrtle Beach as their rector.
 
This very brief history shows the ties that bind the country of Liberia with the state of South Carolina. It is a blessing that Cn. Merchant, while continuing to serve as rector of St. Stephen's, can also offer leadership to the Episcopal Church of Liberia and continue this important connection.

Article submitted by the Rev. Cn. Dr. Wilmot T. Merchant II.

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