Date: February 27, 2025
The African American Episcopal Historical Collection (AAEHC) is pleased to announce that the time period to submit applications for its 2025-2026 research travel grants is now open.
Faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, independent researchers, clergy and laypersons who would like to use the AAEHC for research are encouraged to apply for one of the grants. Funds may be used for transportation, meals, lodging, photocopying, and other costs associated with research.
Award amounts vary, and applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount necessary to complete their projects. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2025. Travel must occur between August 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
The 2023-2024 research travel grants totaled $7,730 and were distributed among three grantees: Canon Charles Egleston, The Rev. Aaron Rogers, The Rev. Lester Mackenzie.
The AAEHC is a joint project of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church and Virginia Theological Seminary. The Collection tells of the experiences of African American Episcopalians through documents, institutional records, oral histories, personal papers, and photographs.
The Collection is particularly strong in the following areas:
- The histories of Black Episcopal parishes
- The race histories of white Episcopal parishes
- Networking and mentorship among black clergy
- The history of the Union of Black Episcopalians
- The history of the Conference of Church Workers among Colored People
- The history of the Bishop Payne Divinity School that educated African Americans for the Priesthood during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- The work of artist Allan Rohan Crite
- The contributions to The Episcopal Church made by individuals, such as The Rt. Rev. John Thomas Walker, The Rt. Rev. Walter Decoster Dennis, Ms. Verna Dozier, The Rev. Canon Harold T. Lewis, The Rev. Canon Thomas W.S. Logan, Sr., The Rev. Phillip Jackson, The Rev. Preston Hannibal, and The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, among many others.
The Rev. Canon Betsy Smith Ivey, Diocese of Pennsylvania (retired), said: “As a researcher and writer of the history of Black Episcopalians, it is an extraordinary blessing to have access to the AAEHC’s historic research and memorabilia of noted Black clergy and scholars. These collections add fullness to the rich and true history of our Church.”
For more information about the AAEHC visit vts.edu/AAEHC.