Peter William Cassey and Anna Besant Cassey
Throughout February, we will highlight Black Episcopalians whose faith, courage, and leadership have shaped our Church and our world. We begin close to home.
Today, we remember Peter William Cassey and Anna Besant Cassey, pioneers of faith and education in San Jose.
Peter William Cassey was ordained in 1863 at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Jose, becoming one of the first African American Episcopal clergy on the West Coast. His ministry extended far beyond the pulpit as he worked for equality, opportunity, and dignity in a time when both were often denied.
Anna Besant Cassey was an educator and community leader who believed deeply in the power of learning. When Black children in California had few educational options, she helped organize and support schools that opened doors and changed lives.
Together, Peter and Anna founded the Phoenixonian Institute, California’s first secondary school for African American students. Their partnership showed that ministry happens not only in sanctuaries, but also in classrooms, neighborhoods, and everyday acts of justice.
Today, the Episcopal Church honors Peter and Anna Cassey with a shared feast day on April 16. Their legacy lives on in the history of Trinity Cathedral, San Jose, and in the ongoing witness of communities committed to faith in action.
We give thanks for their courage, their vision, and the foundation they helped build here in the Diocese of El Camino Real.