June 29, 1864 - Samuel Ajayi Crowther Consecrated as First African Anglican Bishop

On June 29, 1864, Samuel Ajayi Crowther was consecrated as the first African Anglican bishop, becoming the Bishop of the Niger at Canterbury Cathedral under Archbishop Charles Longley. This historic moment marked a pivotal step for the Anglican Church, recognizing an African leader in its highest ranks. On that same day, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the University of Oxford, celebrating his remarkable work in Bible translation and linguistics. Crowther's consecration symbolized both a triumph over his origins in slavery and a major advancement for indigenous leadership in West African Christianity.