Writer and campaigner Olaudah Equiano, who was enslaved but later bought his own freedom, was married in Soham Parish Church in Cambridgeshire in 1792 to Susannah Cullen. The couple’s elder daughter is commemorated in a memorial at St Andrew’s Chesterton, in Cambridge, where she is buried.
The Revd Eleanor Whalley and the Revd Philip Lockley were recently asked about the importance of these links for a recent article on the Church of England website
The Rev Philip Lockley, Vicar of St Andrew’s Chesterton, said:
“The congregation are very proud of these links. The Equiano family story is one of liberation, justice, love and mercy.”
Vicar of St Andrew’s Soham, Eleanor Whalley said:
“Our efforts to promote Equiano's story are about ensuring his phenomenal achievements continue to influence the course of history today, building a better world.”
St Andrew’s Church Soham will host a talk on the latest archival research findings into Equiano’s wife and daughters, with Professor Victoria Avery, of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, independent researcher Dawnanna Kreeger and Carol Brown-Leonardi from the Open University. No booking is required, and entry is free to this event, which takes place on Wednesday October 8 at 7.30pm, donations welcome.
The Rev'd Sharon Byrne, Bishop’s Advisor for Racial Justice said:
"Black History Month has been observed since 1987 and it aims to celebrate and honour the contributions and struggles of people of African and Caribbean heritage have made to British and global society. For Black History Month this October we have an opportunity to raise a positive awareness about Black History with this event at St Andrew's Soham."
The Church of England have published this prayer to mark the beginning of Black History Month, a national celebration promoting and celebrating the contributions of those with African and Caribbean heritage to British society and to foster an understanding of Black history in general.
Compassionate God,
who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,
create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,
to see the image of God in every person
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending racism and injustice;
creating communities of human flourishing,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.