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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.
