Three Historic Black Parishes in Charleston to Worship Together in Service of Lament & Repentance on November 10

The historic African American Episcopal Congregations of St. Stephen’s, Calvary, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Churches will join together on Sunday, November 10, 2024, for a special liturgy of Lament and Repentance for The Episcopal Church’s complicity in the slave trade. The service will begin at 10:30 am and take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 16 Thomas Street, in downtown Charleston.

Although all three of these parishes have historic African American roots—St. Stephen’s founded in 1822, Calvary in 1847 and St. Mark’s in 1865--this will be the first time all three parishes have worshiped together on a Sunday morning.

The Very Rev. Michael Shaffer, dean of the Peninsula Deanery and interim rector at St. Mark’s, said the joint service has been a long time coming and that he and the Rev. Adam Shoemaker, rector of St. Stephen’s and the Rev. Ricardo Bailey, rector of Calvary are hopeful that this service will be the seed for future opportunities for these congregations to worship and minister together around issues of common heritage and ongoing concern. Fr. Shaffer also said that all these congregations have been encouraged and energized by the vision and leadership of the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and that he hopes this liturgy might be a model for future joint efforts throughout the diocese.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley will celebrate and preach at the service, which will be led by members of all three congregations. A special reflection regarding the importance of this work will be offered by Dr. Bernard Powers, retired professor emeritus of history at the College of Charleston and founding director of the College’s Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston. Music for this special liturgy will be provided by well know Charleston local musicians Ann Caldwell and The Magnolia Singers, as well as saxophonist Mark Sterbank.

The public is invited, and free parking will be available in the Ashley Hall school lot, located at the corner of Warren and Smith streets, one block from the church.

​Download a flyer at this link.

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