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

edit

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

Clergy

edit

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

edit

In 1842, she married John Draper.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Thompson, Patricia J. "Courageous Past, Bold Future: The Journey Toward Full clergy Rights for Women in The United Methodist Church". www.gcah.org. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  2. ^ a b "Helenor M. Davisson". Archives & History. United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.