This week in Christian history: Wild Goose Festival, black bishop consecrated, First Peace of Kappel

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 23, 2024

Samuel David Ferguson consecrated bishop – June 24, 1885

The Right Reverend Samuel David Ferguson (1842-1916), a native of South Carolina who became the first African American member of the Episcopal Church House of Bishops. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Samuel David Ferguson, the first black member of The Episcopal Church House of Bishops, was consecrated bishop at a ceremony held at Grace Church of New York, New York.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Ferguson moved with his family to Liberia when he was 6. He had been elected bishop the year before his consecration.

At the 1885 ceremony, Ferguson was made Missionary Bishop of Cape Palmas and its neighboring territory, with the diocese eventually being renamed Liberia and West Africa.

“In helping us to do something in this requital of Christian love, we call upon you, brother beloved in the Lord, to be our agent and co-operator,” Presiding Bishop Alfred Lee said to Ferguson during the service.

“The fullest authority of the Gospel is now to be confided to you. Great is the trust, arduous the word, wide the field.”