Deaconesses

History, photos and stories of these unsung heroes of the Church
In the Episcopal Church, Deaconesses were faith-filled women who were the early pioneers of servant ministry. Being "set apart" as a deaconess was one of the few ways women could serve the Church in the years before the ordination of women.
It's been recorded that four deaconesses were ordained by Bp. William Whittingham of Maryland in September, 1857. At the time, women in the USA were not ordained as deacons. In 1970, the last of some 500 deaconesses were ordained. That same year, when General Convention voted to allow women to be ordained as deacons, the deaconesses were automatically included in this group.
A listing of Deaconess Commemorations can be found on the Sisters in Faith website. Compiled by Deacon Patricia Marks. 
Meet the Deaconesses ~ arranged alphabetically
​A-F      G-L      M-R      S-Z

To come:
  • Bibliography of books by and about deaconesses​
Deaconess bios are occasionally posted in the Association for Episcopal Deacons' facebook group.
Know of a deaconess we've missed? Please contact Deacon Anne, webmaster.