Women have been an integral part of the history of The United Methodist Church since the days of Barbara Heck. March is Women’s History Month and the General Commission on Archives and History celebrates these milestone achievements women have accomplished in the role of clergy.
Helenor Alter Davisson – First Woman Ordained
Methodist Protestant Church – 1866
Helenor Alter was born in Pennsylvania in 1823, the oldest daughter of John and Charity VanAusdall Alter. In 1834 Helenor’s father, John himself a preacher, moved his family west to Indiana.
Helenor Davisson’s name first appears in the official Methodist Protestant records in the October 3, 1862, minutes of the Bradford Circuit of the Wabash Annual Conference. Her name is listed just below that of her father, both as ministers in the circuit. She was presented to be received and have her license renewed June 6, 1863. On July 25, 1863, it was moved and approved to recommend Helenor to the annual conference “to preach the gospel or at least a small work.”
In August 1866, at the 21st Wabash Annual Conference, held in the Alter family home, she was ordained deacon; becoming the first woman ordianed in American Methodism.
This rendition of the Rev. Davisson was done by a forensic artist from a damaged mid-19th century cabinet card photograph.
For more information follow the link to Davisson’s story and the article in Methodist History, “A Small Work: The Story of Helenor Alter Davisson, Methodism’s First Ordained Woman” by Christopher M. Shoemaker.
Ella Niswonger – First Woman Ordained
United Brethren in Christ Church – 1889
Ella Niswonger was born April 5, 1865 in Montgomery County, Ohio. She had three brothers and seven sisters. Her father, Eli Niswonger, was of German descent and was born in Montgomery County, Ohio. Her mother Elizabeth (nee) Miller was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She joined the United Brethren Church on January 2, 1881. She graduated from Union Biblical Seminary (now United Theological Seminary), Dayton, Ohio, on May 4, 1887, and was ordained by Bishop E. B. Kephart on September 11,1889 in the United Brethren Church.
Her work as pastor began the following month at Streator, Illinois. She served there continuously, except for a brief stint with the Kansas Conference, until 1940.
For more information follow the link to Niswonger’s story
Maud Jensen – First Woman to Receive Full-clergy Rights
the Methodist Church – 1956
A native of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Jensen was drawn to missionary work while a student at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. After graduating in 1926, she went to Korea as a missionary.
By 1946 Jensen earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Seminary at Drew University. During the Korean War, her husband Reverend A. Kristian Jensen, was a prisoner of the Communists from 1950-1953. The couple resumed service in Korea in September, 1954, and Mrs. Jensen taught at the Methodist Theological Seminary.
On May 18,1956, Jensen became the first woman to be admitted into full conference membership in the Methodist Church by the Central Pennsylvania Conference.
For more information follow the link to Jensen’s story and see the article in Methodist History,” Ordination of Women in the United Methodist Tradition.” by Barbara B. Troxell
Marjorie Swank Matthews – First Woman Bishop
The United Methodist Church -1980
Marjorie Swank Matthews was born July 11, 1916 and worked as an Assistant Treasurer in an auto parts manufacturing company before entering the ministry in 1976.
Matthews earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan (1967), which she followed with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School (1970). Matthews earned both a Master’s Degree in Religion and a Doctorate in Humanities from Florida State University (1976).
Later she became the Superintendent of the Grand Traverse District in the West Michigan Conference and then was elected to bishop in the North Central Jurisdiction in1980. Matthews served the Wisconsin area until 1984 when she retired.
For more information follow this link to Matthews’ story. Marjorie Matthews Papers
Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly – First African American Woman Bishop
The United Methodist Church – 1984
Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly was born into a prominent clergy family on March 5, 1920 in Washington, D.C.
Throughout her childhood Kelly met many leaders of the African American Central Jurisdiction. She became a lay preacher in 1969.
Her call to ordained ministry occurred at the Virginia Conference School of Christian Missions. While teaching, “The Inner Life of Harvey Potthof,” she experienced God’s call in a powerful way.
She was ordained an elder in 1976. After serving the local church she became the head of evangelism at the General Board of Discipleship in 1983. Kelly was elected bishop by the Western Jurisdiction in 1984.
For more information follow the link to Kelly’s story
Minerva Carcaño – First Latina Bishop
The United Methodist Church – 2004
Minerva Carcaño is the first Latina bishop in The United Methodist Church. Elected by the Western Jurisdiction in 2004. She was born in Edinburg, Texas. She attended Perkins School of Theology and was ordained elder in the Rio Grande Annual Conference in 1980. Carcaño served several pastorates in western Texas, New Mexico and Oregon.
For more information follow the link to Carcaño’s story.
Future Feature … Michigan Area Clergy Women of Distinction
Last Updated on February 2, 2024