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| Note: I could find no photo of Anne Besant Cassey. |
Peter Williams Cassey, Priest, 1917 and Annie Besant
Cassey, 1875
The Collect:
O God of justice and mercy, we remember before you your
servants Peter Williams Cassey and Anna Besant Cassey, who, in the face of
slavery and discrimination, gave the blessings of education and spiritual haven
to the marginalized; Grant us to be fearless in the face of injustice and to
work for blessings that will touch those whom the world does not count of
value; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives
and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Peter Williams Cassey was the first African-American
ordained in the Episcopal Church in the West. He was born in Philadelphia of
noted abolitionist and Episcopal clergy ancestors, and moved to California in
1856. He and his wife Annie helped found Trinity Church in San Jose and then
St. Philips Mission and Academy. Peter was ordained a deacon in 1866 and then
founded Christ Church (later St. Cyprian's) in San Francisco.
