Uncovering and Confronting Our History:
King's Chapel History Program Series on Slavery
As both an historical organization and an active faith community, King's Chapel is committed to uncovering and confronting the institution's difficult history with slavery and racism. King's Chapel, of course, is not alone in this endeavor, as the institution of slavery played an integral role in the founding, growth, and wealth of not only Boston but the American colonies as a whole and the United States.
Join us in our upcoming program series Uncovering and Confronting Our History this month as we explore and address the history and legacy of enslavement and the slave trade on this historic institution.
Join us in our upcoming program series Uncovering and Confronting Our History this month as we explore and address the history and legacy of enslavement and the slave trade on this historic institution.
King's Chapel, Slavery, and the Atlantic World | Thursday, January 7 at 5:30 | Zoom
Members of colonial King's Chapel navigated a complex series of economic and social networks spanning across the Atlantic, including not only England, but many members with intimate ties to centers of the 18th century slave trade including Jamaica and Barbados. This program will share the lesser known histories of King's Chapel as a global community inextricably linked with the Atlantic slave trade, with members and supporters ranging from merchants deeply involved in Boston's maritime economy to owners of brutal sugar plantations throughout the Caribbean worked by enslaved laborers. This program will also explore the sources of wealth that contributed to the construction of King's Chapel's 1754 stone building, which still stands in the heart of Boston today.
A recording of the January 7th live program is available.
A recording of the January 7th live program is available.
Costs of Cotton: King's Chapel and New England's Textile Industry | Thursday, January 21 at 5:30 | Zoom
Join us on Thursday, January 21 for the second installment of this ongoing series that will explore the church and its historic members' relationships with New England's textile industry.
While slavery in Massachusetts came to an end in the 1780s, donations and membership continued to come in from people profiting from slavery -- the mill owners and textile industry magnates of 19th century New England who relied on cotton produced on southern plantations to fuel their mills, and cotton production increased due to this demand. In this program, we will explore King's Chapel's place in these systems and discuss the many "costs" associated with these industries, from the impacts of enslavement that fueled the textile industry to the environmental impacts as well.
Please register in advance to attend. A recording will also be available following the live program.
While slavery in Massachusetts came to an end in the 1780s, donations and membership continued to come in from people profiting from slavery -- the mill owners and textile industry magnates of 19th century New England who relied on cotton produced on southern plantations to fuel their mills, and cotton production increased due to this demand. In this program, we will explore King's Chapel's place in these systems and discuss the many "costs" associated with these industries, from the impacts of enslavement that fueled the textile industry to the environmental impacts as well.
Please register in advance to attend. A recording will also be available following the live program.
The History Program depends on your generosity year round to support our ongoing tours, history events, and research. Contributions are especially appreciated at this time, as we are unable to continue our regular operations and tours due to the current pandemic. As we work to continue preparing remote programming and support our History Program staff, please consider offering your support at the time. Thank you.
