Helenor M. Davisson

First woman ordained in American Methodist Church From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Helenor Alter Draper Davisson was an ordained minister in the Methodist church in Indiana.[1] Davisson was the first woman ordained in American Methodist Church.[1]

Painting of Davisson on display at the World Methodist Museum, Lake Junaluska, NC

Early life

Helenor Alter was born in 1823 to John and Charity VanAusdall Alter in Pennsylvania.[1]

Clergy

In 1842, Davisson joined her father in his ministry, riding with him on horseback as they worked in Indiana.[2]

Davisson was recommended for deacon's orders at the Quarterly Meeting of the Grand Prairie Circuit in 1865 and in 1866 became the first ordained woman in American Methodism.[1]

Personal life

In 1842, she married John Draper.[2]

References

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