On Thursday, February 6, Friends of John Jay Homestead will continue their 2014 John Jay Scholars Lecture Series,In 1853, St. Philip’s Church, the first African-American Episcopal congregation in New York City, applied to be recognized by the Episcopal hierarchy on an equal footing with white parishes, at a time when most of their peers were forming and joining evangelical denominations. John Jay II was an important advisor and strategist to St. Philip’s, working closely with the church’s own leaders (including James McCune Smith) against unrelenting opposition and discrimination. But the application itself, and Jay’s own role, were complicated by national antislavery politics. Faith in Their Own Color tells a remarkable story of a group’s paradoxical search for autonomy and acceptance, as well as a deep portrait of the lives of free African-Americans in the antebellum north. Townsend is Vicar of St. James’ Church in New York.
The 2014 John Jay Lecture Series is organized by the Scholars Committee of Friends of John Jay Homestead, whose members include Sheila and John Bernson, Vanessa Diebold, John M. Greenwood, The Honorable Donald P. Gregg, Timothy B. Harwood, Susan Allport Howell, Gary S. Jacobson and Bridget C. Thorne, Alexia and Jerry Jurschak, Brian Kelly, Migs and Brian Landry, Heather G. Langham, Bonnie MacDonald, Holly Ann Maggio, Silvia and Steve Ohler, George Hunter Roberts, Linda A. Mahon and Robert H. Saunders, Timothy P. Schieffelin, Janet K. Schloat, Jennifer and Roger Schwartz, Norman Selby, John J. Stockbridge, Kate and Tom Terry, Marilen G. Tilt, Melissa Vail (Chair), and Caroline and John Walker.
This lecture will be held in the Ballroom at John Jay Homestead State Historic Site at 7:00 P.M., registration beginning at 6:15 P.M. with light refreshments. A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets are $20 for Members of Friends of John Jay Homestead and $25 for non-members. Reservations recommended.
For more information, or to reserve tickets or books, please contact the Friends of John Jay Homestead office at (914) 232-8119; email friends@johnjayhomestead.org; or visit www.johnjayhomestead.org.
