A History of Activism
Grace Church was founded in 1871 and has an inspiring history of social activism. Such a history includes providing a home to one of the first Head Start programs, offering training for the Peace Corps and Vista volunteers.
A Racially Inclusive CongregationIn 1957, Grace Church welcomed members of St. Philip's - a historically black Episcopal Church - establishing Grace as one of the first fully integrated Episcopal churches in the nation. The spirit of St. Philip's lives on at Grace. In the 1960s, Grace led the city's churches in its commitment to civil rights, and Grace was also a meeting site for the Congresses for Racial Equality.
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David Pendleton OakerhaterIn the late 1900s, David Pendleton Oakerhater, a Cheyenne, was baptized and ordained a deacon at Grace. Oakerhater devoted his life to serving his people and the Episcopal Church. In 1992, Oakerhater was elevated to sainthood. Grace Church is the national shrine to Saint Oakerhater - the first Native American Episcopal saint. |
Pioneering Women's OrdinationIn 1974, Betty Bone Schiess sparked national controversy as a member of the "Philadelphia Eleven," eleven Episcopal women who were ordained as priests in Philadelphia. It was considered an act of disobedience since the church hierarchy had not yet consented to the ordination of women. She later became an associate rector of Grace.
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LGBT EqualityIn 2008, Grace Church led the Diocese of Central New York in LGBT activism, participating in the CNY Pride Parade and Festival. That same year, the Rev. Peter Williams, an openly gay priest, was received into the Episcopal priesthood from the Roman Catholic tradition.
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