Commemoration Jehu Jones Jr.

Commemoration

Jehu Jones Jr., d. September 28, 1852; transferred from November 24

Reflection

Jehu Jones was the first African American to be ordained a Lutheran pastor. Unfortunately, racism followed him, both in the North and in the South, even from his pastoral colleagues. His father was the proprietor of a large hotel in Charleston and who purchased the freedom of several slaves. Jones felt a call to be a missionary in Liberia, and, knowing that pastors in the South would not ordain him, he traveled to New York City bearing letters of recommendation from his pastor back in Charleston, and he was ordained by the Ministerium of New York in 1832. When he returned to Charleston to prepare for his voyage to Liberia, he was jailed and later freed on condition of never again returning to his native state. He went with his wife and nine children to Philadelphia, where he established St. Paul’s Church (the cornerstone still stands). When his congregation experienced financial difficulties, his ministerial colleagues refused to help, and the Ministerium of Pennsylvania seized the property. Jones disappeared from the scene disillusioned. Douglas Strange observes that other African American pastors who have followed Jones into ministry in the Lutheran Church “have exhibited, by their decision to do so, a greater tolerance and unfeigned forgiveness toward us than that shown to Jehu Jones, Jr.”

Prayer

Gracious God, Forgive us the deeply-ingrained sin of racism. Make us ambassadors of your peace that knows of no divisions of race. In Jesus’ name. Amen.