Leadership Gallery

The Reverend Thomas Wilson Stearly Logan, Sr. celebrating his 65th year in the priesthood at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, 2004. Photo courtesy of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia, PA.

The Reverend Canon Thomas Wilson Stearly Logan, Sr. devoted over sixty years to the Episcopal Church. He spent his dedicated ministry serving on commissions and community groups as well as in parochial leadership. Upon his retirement in 1984, he received the title Rector Emeritus of Calvary Church, Northern Liberties in Philadelphia where he had served since 1945.

Logan was born in Philadelphia in 1912. After his graduation from Lincoln University in 1935, he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology three years later from General Theological Seminary. In 1941, he received his Master of Sacred Theology from Philadelphia Divinity School. Later in his career he received two honorary doctorates and went on to complete doctorates in divinity and theology. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1938 and to the priesthood the following year. Following ordination, he pastored churches in Yonkers, N.Y., New York City, and his hometown of Philadelphia. Logan has also served as interim priest for five Philadelphia parishes, associate priest at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, and chaplain for the Philadelphia Presbyterian Hospital and Philadelphia Police Department.

He served the Church and society in a number of leadership roles, including Diocesan Council and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew; as president of Hampton University Ministers' Conference; as delegate to the Anglican Conference in Cape Town, South Africa; and as president of the Homeless Fund and National Church Workers Conference U.S.A.. He was one of the founders of the National Conference of Black Episcopalians and was a life member of the Union of Black Episcopalians and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc..

The Rev. Thomas Logan, Sr. (right) with his brother John Logan, Jr. (left) and their father John Logan (center) at Thomas’ ordination to the diaconate in June 1938.

Logan was a leader in a number of fraternal and civic organizations. These included the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World, Frontiers International, and the Restitution Fund Commission. He also served a number of years as Imperial Chaplain of the Shrine of North America and as Grand Master of Prince Hall Masonry of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

His contributions to his hometown of Philadelphia went beyond that of being a parish rector. He was a past president of the Tribune Charities and Rafters' Charities and one of the founders of the Afro-American Museum. Logan was a life member and former board member of the NAACP for Philadelphia and Darby, Pennsylvania. As recipient of numerous awards, the Church and community recognized his many accomplishments.

Logan passed away on May 2nd, 2012, at the age of 100. [Sources]