Queen's Chapel - Online Exhibit

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1920

Thanks to the work of women like Dorothea Foote Merriman, the Society of King’s Chapel founded in 1920, changing the church's membership structure so that members regardless of gender could officially join the congregation and were able to vote in church politics.

1923

March 22, 1923: Reverend Florence Buck becomes the first woman to preach from King's Chapel's pulpit. It would not be until 1941, however, that Wilna Livingstone Constable became the first woman to preach at King's Chapel during a Sunday service.

1942

The King's Chapel Vestry, or governing board, votes to permit women to serve on the Vestry.

1970

Carol Means (pictured) and Elsie Cobb become the first women elected to the serve on the King's Chapel Vestry. A church vestry functions like a board of directors of an organization.

1980

Reverend Yvonne Schaudt becomes the first female Associate Minister at King's Chapel.

1983

Harriet Parker (pictured) and Barbara Edgar became the first female ushers. Harriet's red sneakers, which she wore to church that day, are included in the King's Chapel archives. The following year, she became the church's Junior Warden, the second highest lay leadership position in the church governance.

1985

Reverend Suzanne Spencer becomes the first woman ordained into the Christian ministry at King's Chapel.

1990

King's Chapel self-publishes "Of Paramount Importance": The Women of the Chapel, 1686-1986. The booklet, written by Karen McArthur while a student at Harvard Divinity School, explores 1990: King's Chapel self-publishes "Of Paramount Importance": The Women of the Chapel, 1686-1986. The booklet, written by Karen McArthur while a student at Harvard Divinity School, explores 300 years of women's history at the church.