Father Logan

Born March 19, 1912 in Philadelphia, PA., the second son of the Reverend John Logan Sr. and Mary Harbison Logan, Thomas carried on traditions of Christian and public service. 

From Philadelphia Public Schools, Thomas graduated from Lincoln University (PA.) in 1935 and earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary in 1938. He and older brother John Jr. were admitted to the deaconate together on June 13, 1938, at Holy Apostles Church in Philadelphia, PA. and to the priesthood together on June 5, 1939 at St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia, PA. Three unbroken generations of Episcopal priests were established when Thomas Logan, Jr. was ordained on July 21, 1953 at the Church of St. Matthias in Philadelphia, Pa. 

Thomas Logan, Sr. was a deacon and curate at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, New York City, before returning to Philadelphia in 1940 to lead the Chapel of St. Michael and All Angels to become a parish. He was called to Calvary Episcopal Church, Northern Liberties, on September 9, 1945. Merging Calvary and St. Michaels and All Angels was historical in becoming one of the first interracial parishes in the Diocese of PA. The merger linked Logan with Bishop White, who ordained Absalom Jones, the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church. Logan’s leadership in this merger foreshadowed his commitments to racial equality and inclusion. 

Fr. Logan pastored Calvary for 38 years before retiring in 1983. He then served as Associate Priest at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.

Logan was committed to justice and representing the Gospel. He was president of the Hampton University Ministers Conference as a voice for African Americans to deepen their relationship to their churches and communities. He was Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in 1968. In 1976, he was a founder of Philadelphia’s African American Museum. He was president of the National Church Workers Conference, the forerunner of the Union of Black Episcopalians. 

Logan’s ministry was courageous and prophetic: a man of color who transcended color taking the Gospel to diverse organizations.