1825

illustration - Mary Custis Lee, devout laywoman of the church
Image from the National Park Service

Background:

The Episcopal Church was now a national church with dioceses and bishops.
The new Book of Common Prayer and a hymnal with 57 hymns had been authorized. Sunday services were litany, antecommunion, and Morning Prayer, with Eucharist done 4-12 times a year.
The church was learning how support itself through voluntary contributions.
Methodists (originally part of the Church) had separated and become a fast-growing denomination.
All across the U.S. the Episcopal Church was rebuilding after the loss of clergy and buildings from the disruption of war and disestablishment.
General Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary had been founded.

Women were a majority of members; taught children, servants, and slaves the catechism; led daily family prayer; gave the church gifts and endowments.
Women served as organists and choir directors.
Women founded and taught in Sunday Schools; and founded day and boarding schools, especially for girls.
Women wrote hymns, devotional books, lessons for children.
Women organized auxiliaries to the Tract Society, and local guilds that raised money for buildings, mission, and evangelism.
Maria Stewart, was giving lectures on race, religion, and women's rights.
Women become missionaries to foreign lands.

This web page is maintained by Webster Joan R. Gundersen
for the Episcopal Women's History Project.