Absalom Jones was born a slave in 1746 in Delaware, he was the first person of African descent to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

The celebration included liturgical dance and African drumming by the Traditional Music Society of Kansas City.

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Photograph of the Absalom Jones Celebration held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on February 13, 2017. Image credit: Gary Zumwalt

Gary Zumwalt is a member of the Church of the Ressurection, Blue Springs. He volunteers his time and talents to document diocesan events in pictures.