1795 - John Marrant Ordained as First Black Missionary

John Marrant, a free Black man born in New York, was ordained as a Methodist minister in London on May 15, 1795. A deeply spiritual figure, Marrant had previously lived among the Cherokee and other Native American tribes, preaching Christianity and advocating for peaceful coexistence. His 1785 narrative detailed his remarkable journey from enslavement to religious leadership. Upon ordination, Marrant became the first Black missionary officially commissioned to serve Indigenous populations in North America. His work symbolized early intersections of African American, Native American, and Christian histories. His life also challenged the racial and social boundaries of the 18th century, as he was respected across cultural lines. Marrant’s mission work, speeches, and autobiography laid the groundwork for later Black religious leaders and continue to be studied as one of the earliest examples of African diasporic religious activism and intercultural diplomacy in the Americas.