The Episcopal Church of Liberia boasts a distinguished history that dates back to 1832, when the first missionaries, James Madison and Elizabeth Mars Johnson Thomson, arrived in the country. Since then, the Church has played a pivotal role in Liberia’s spiritual, educational, and social development.
One of its most enduring contributions has been in the field of education. The Church established several leading institutions, including Cuttington University, B.W. Harris Episcopal High School, and Bromley Episcopal Mission School. Founded in 1889, Cuttington University is among Liberia’s oldest institutions of higher learning and remains a cornerstone of academic excellence. B.W. Harris Episcopal High School, based in Monrovia, is one of the nation’s most prominent secondary schools, while Bromley Episcopal Mission School is a premier boarding institution for girls that has produced many outstanding Liberian women.
Leadership within the Episcopal Church of Liberia has also shaped its growth and identity. Bishop George Daniel Browne (1970–1993), the first Liberian-born bishop, emphasized self-support, self-governance, and self-propagation. Bishop Edward Wea Neufville II (1996–2007) advanced education and evangelism, while Bishop Jonathan Bau-Bau Bonaparte Hart (from 2008) focused on church growth and development. The current Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Liberia is the Right Reverend Dr. James B. Sellee.
Complementing the Church’s mission is the Episcopal Order of the Sons and Daughters of the King, a combined order for men and women dedicated to prayer, service, and evangelism. Rooted in the Anglican Communion, the Order is an international fellowship whose members commit to a lifelong Rule of Life centered on disciplined prayer and active service.
Founded in 1885, the Order of the Sons and Daughters of the King is closely aligned with the mission of the Episcopal Church. It shares common values with the International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons, established in 1886, an interdenominational Christian philanthropic organization committed to faith-driven service.
Together, the Episcopal Church of Liberia and the Order of the Sons and Daughters of the King continue to uphold a legacy of faith, leadership, education, and service that has shaped Liberia for nearly two centuries.
