St. Philip's College Reflects on 5th Anniversary of Saint Artemisia Bowden’s Canonization

In observance of Saint Artemisia Bowden Feast Day celebrated on August 18, 2020, the St. Philip’s College (SPC) Department of Student Life will host “Reflections of a Saint” on August 17-31, 2020. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to share their thoughts on how Artemisia Bowden’s foundation and leadership continue to unite SPC’s community. The history of St. Philip’s is intricately woven with her life and her commitment to quality education continues to shape the mission and values of the college.

“Artemisia Bowden demonstrated that there was no greater calling than to have education become a focal point in her community for the marginalized citizens. Her success in carrying out this mission is evident in our rich history,” said St. Philip’s College President, Dr. Adena Williams Loston.

2020 marks a significant year as the college celebrates the fifth anniversary of the canonization of Bowden by the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church that took place in 2015, with August 18 being named her saint day. The church added her name to its liturgical calendar and the denomination’s book, “Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints.” She is among the company of the Holy Bible's Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, and notable African-Americans like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Beecher Stowe, Harriett Tubman, Frederick Douglas and James Weldon Johnson.

The same year she was elevated to sainthood, she was named president emeritus by the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees in recognition of her leadership and service to SPC. The daughter of former slaves led the institution from 1902 to 1952. During her time at the helm, Bowden had to overcome many obstacles due to the effects of The Depression. As a result, the college ceased to function as a private institution and joined the San Antonio Independent School District and later to the San Antonio Union Junior College, today known as Alamo Colleges District. The transition led to Ms. Bowden’s title change from President to Dean which she served as until retiring in 1954.

“Her assignment from Bishop James Steptoe Johnston was to establish a grammar school. She was successful in doing so; however, she expanded her mission assignment exponentially. We grew from a grammar school to a vocational school to an industrial school to an accredited junior college. We are all eternally grateful for her capacity to vision and may we grow in our capacity to vision just as Saint Artemisia Bowden did,” said Dr. Loston.

By Alexa Saavedra, St. Philip's College Strategic Communications Coordinator

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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.

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Further Reading:

• The Saint Who Transformed St. Philip's College, San Antonio Express News (April 30, 2018)
• The Episcopal Archives - the Church Awakens: Leadership Gallery, Artemisia Bowden
• 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)