Women’s History Month: 7 Christian denominations that voted to allow female ordination

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, March 07, 2021

Disciples of Christ – 1888

The installation service for the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, elected president of the Disciples of Christ at their General Assembly, held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 12, 2017. | Ron Alvey

The Disciples of Christ, also known as the Christian Churches, ordained their first female minister in 1888 when Clara Celestia Hale Babcock was made a pastor.

“[Babcock] held pastorates in four churches, conducted numerous evangelistic meetings and personally baptized at least 1,500 people,” explained the Disciples of Christ Historical Society.

“In her obituary in the Christian-Evangelist, it was remembered that ‘her converts and acquaintances esteemed her highly for her strong intellect, clear presentation of the scriptures and effective appeal on behalf of Christ.’”

In 2017, the Christian Churches made history again when they consecrated the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens as the first African American female of any mainline Protestant denomination.

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