Commemorating a Saint: Dr. Artemisia Bowden, Educator, 1969

In 1902, Dr. Artemisia Bowden was called to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas by the Rt. Rev. James S. Johnston, Second Bishop of West Texas, to lead and develop a local school for women. Under decades of her faithful leadership it grew and developed into today's St. Philip's College, a strong part of the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio. Forty-six years after her death, The Episcopal Church's 78th General Convention added Bowden to its liturgical calendar and established her feast day as August 18.

Join the Diocese in giving thanks for the life and service of Dr. Artemisia Bowden on her Feast Day, Wednesday, August 18.

Collect for Commemoration of Artemisia Bowden

O God, by your Holy Spirit, you give gifts to your people so that they might faithfully serve your Church and the world: We give you praise for the gifts of perseverance, teaching and wisdom made manifest in your servant, Artemisia Bowden, whom you called far from home for the sake of educating the daughters and granddaughters of former slaves in Texas. We thank you for blessing and prospering her life’s work, and pray that, following her example, we may be ever mindful of the call to serve where you send us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[A Great Cloud of Witnesses, 2015, p. 400]

Further Reading:

• The Episcopal Archives - the Church Awakens: Leadership Gallery, Artemisia Bowden
• ‍Feast Day: Celebrating a Saint, Alamo Colleges District - St. Philip's College News (August 13, 2021)
• The Saint Who Transformed St. Philip's College, San Antonio Express News (April 30, 2018)
• Celebrating a Saint: Artemisia Bowden, the Church News (July/August 2015)
• St. Philip's Began as a Church Sewing School, Paula Allen of St. Mark's, San Antonio in the San Antonio Express News (February 21, 2014)