This talk is part of the 2024 Bicentennial Historical Lectures and is led by Francis Blouin, Professor Emeritus the University of Michigan and Archivist of Saint Thomas Church.
During his time as Rector of Saint Thomas between 1901 and 1925, Fr. Ernest M. Stires (1866–1951) worked tirelessly to address the inequalities of the emerging industrial age. He embraced the “Social Gospel” movement of the time and established at Saint Thomas numerous missions, charities, groups, and programs all designed to reach across the city to those less fortunate. His philosophy was simple: “it is in giving that we receive.”
At the time however, his basic idea of Christian charity faced a number of challenges:
- Christianity did not always speak in one voice regarding the social crisis.
- The Social Sciences were emerging with an alternative approach to charity.
- Trade unionism argued that charity was not enough.
- In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution ideas that seemed socialist were suspect.
- The persistent tension in America between individualism and collective responsibility.
Then, with the great depression of the 1930s, social problems and inequalities became so immense that basic charity became a principal focus of government policy.
The Adult Education program at Saint Thomas Church offers sound Christian teaching presented with intellectual vigor, teaching that is grounded in Holy Scripture, mediated by the catholic tradition that is the inheritance of Anglicanism and set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. For more information about our theology program and to receive links for weekly Sunday Theology Talks, please contact Fr. Gioia.
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