Timeline 

1885

• Order founded by Margaret J. Franklin, on Easter Eve, April 4, at the
  Church of the Holy Sepulchre, New York, NY (now the Church of the Resurrection), as an outgrowth of a Bible class named Daughters of the King, later called the Alpha Chapter.
• Rev. James Oatlands Tuttle Smith, Rector of Holy Sepulchre, named Alpha Chapter Chaplain
• First President, Margaret J. Franklin (1885-1894)
• Affiliated with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew
• Vision: to become a National Order when 50 chapters were established
• Alpha Chapter acted as governing body until National Order was established
• Elizabeth Ryerson, Secretary (1885-1907)

1889

• Rev. Ralph Wood Kenyon named chaplain for Alpha Chapter

1891

• Rev. Ralph Wood Kenyon named National Grand Chaplain, wrote
  first constitution of the order

1892

• Fifty chapters formed, National Order established
• First National Council meeting. Constitution adopted (a simple document, which included the two Rules of the Order, written by members of the Alpha Chapter and the Rev. Ralph W. Kenyon, Chaplain)
• The Royal Cross began monthly publication in August; Elizabeth Ryerson, editor (1892-1907)
• Annual dues $.25; The Royal Cross subscription cost an additional $.50
• Order established in Canada

1893

• First National Convention held in Baltimore, MD
• Mrs. E. J. Warner, Diocese of New York, elected President of Convention; nearly 200 delegates representing 250 chapters attended. The Order’s membership was 8,000.
• Order established in Australia

1894

• National Convention held in Baltimore, MD
• Mrs. E. A. Bradley, Diocese of New York, elected President of Order (1894-1907)
• The Royal Cross became quarterly publication

1895

• National Convention held in New York, NY
• Canadian National Council formed

1896

• National Convention held in Philadelphia, PA
• Order’s membership was 11,697 in 66 Chapters
• Junior Division of the Order was founded at Emmanuel Parish in Washington, DC. Mary (Mrs. Willard C.) Davenport first Chair

1897

• National Convention held in Washington, DC
• Self-Denial Fund (Lily Funsten Ward Memorial Fund) established
• The Order relocated from Church of the Resurrection to Church Mission House (Bible House), New York, NY

1898

• National Convention held in New Haven, CT
• Order established in England
• DOK President Bradley donated her home in Catamount, NY, to the Order as a place for recreation and renewal

1899

• National Convention held in Atlanta, GA
• The Junior Daughters of the King was officially adopted by the Order during the National Convention
• Miss Charley Warnock, Atlanta, GA, became first Missionary, serving in Wuchang, China (1899-1902)

1900

• National Convention held in Pittsburgh, PA
• Fire destroyed early records and issues of The Royal Cross

1901

• National Convention held in San Francisco, CA
• Canadian National Council (1894-1907) had established branches in England, Australia, British West Indies, Danish West Indies, China and Honolulu, HI

1903

• Annette Burke, Richmond, VA, became Missionary to China (1903-1916)

1904

• National Convention held in New Haven, CT
• From 1903-1907, the Order flourished on college campuses. college chapters were under the direction of the bishop of the diocese where the college existed.
• Order began holding National Conventions triennially

1907

• National Convention held in Richmond, VA
• Gertrude (Mrs. Adam) Denmeade, Diocese of Maryland, elected President (1907-1922)
• Order began holding National Convention prior to triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church
• Order’s membership grew to 17,000 women

1910

• National Convention held in Cincinnati, OH
• Telephone installed in National Office

1911

• Order had 883 chapters worldwide with councils in Australia, Canada, England, South America and the United States

1913

• National Convention held in New York, NY
• Constitution revised to 5 women needed to form Chapter; representation established as one voting delegate from each diocese and each chapter; National Council structure established, size set at 15 members

1916

• National Convention held in St. Louis, MO
• First National Conference for Junior Daughters held during the National Convention
• Deaconess Emily Ridgely, Missionary, began serving in China

1917

• Order incorporated
• Order established in the Panama Canal Zone
• Junior Daughters’ column in each issue of The Royal Cross
• Promotional literature compiled for clergy, “A Valuable Aid to Every Rector,” and “How to Help and Why to Help The Order of the Daughters of the King®”

1919

• National Convention held in Detroit, MI
• Invitations issued to councils in Canada and England to attend convention
• Office Manager position established; Constitution revised to state that General Secretary/Office Manager would not be a member of the National Council
• Proposal to raise annual dues to $.75 per member, which included a subscription to The Royal Cross
• President and treasurer to be elected by National Convention delegates; National Council would fill vacancies
• Mary (Mrs. Willard C.) Davenport, founder of Junior Daughters, honored and named “Mother of the Junior Order”

1922

• National Convention held in Portland, OR
• Jane Washington (Mrs. Felix) Ewing, Diocese of Tennessee, President (1922-1923)
• Constitutional revisions on officers included three-year terms and only two successive terms, except that treasurer could be elected for more than two terms
• Self-Denial Fund adopted February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, as the day of in-gathering
• Mission field in China added second “field worker”
• Master’s Fund established
• Provincial representation appointed to National Council
• The Royal Cross published by Sewanee Press, Sewanee, TN

1923

• Helen Townsend (Mrs. A. A.) Birney, Diocese of Washington, became President (1923-1928)
• National Council established provincial organization and guidelines for Bishop’s Chapters

1925

• National Convention held in New Orleans, LA
• National Council established office of Recording Secretary
• Barbara Horn named National Office Corresponding Secretary
• National Office moved to 150 5th Avenue, New York, NY
• Junior Daughters Chairwoman appointed to National Council

1927

• The following National Council standing committees were established:
  • National Day of Prayer
  • The Master’s Fund
  • Junior Work
  • Extension Work
  • Manual of Prayers
  • Commission on Cooperation
  • Brotherhood of St. Andrew (liaison)
  • Finance
  • Summer Conferences
  • Literature
  • Bishop’s Chapters
  • Publicity
• Study Guide lesson outline written
• Reports of Chapters to Diocese, Dioceses to Province, Provinces to National Council established
• Edna Penniman named National Office Corresponding Secretary

1928

• National Convention held in Washington, DC
• Rose Johnson (Mrs. George) Ames, Diocese of Central New York, elected President. Remained in office during the Great Depression (1928-1934)
• Activities streamlined; Daughters work dovetailed with Women’s Auxiliary
• Endowment Fund established

1931

• National Convention held in Denver, CO
• Coral Clark began mission work in Wuchang, China, as a faculty member of Hua Chung College
• Margaret J. Franklin, founder, died on January 19

1932

• Margaret J. Franklin’s gold cross was given to the Order to be worn by all succeeding National Presidents. The cross is inscribed, “In memory of Margaret J. Franklin, founder and first President of The Order of the Daughters of the King.” (This cross is presented to each new President when she is installed.)

1933

• Daughters had exhibit in the Hall of Religion at Chicago Exposition
• Order established in Japan

1934

• National Convention held in Atlantic City, NJ
• Ada (Mrs. W. J.) Loaring-Clark, Diocese of Tennessee, elected President, also served as editor of The Royal Cross 1934-1936
• Gertrude Selzer began serving as missionary in China
• Order’s membership numbered 5,385 in 388 chapters

1935

• 50th Anniversary celebration gave spark to all endeavors of the Order in 1935-1936

1936

• Ada Loaring-Clark died in office and Martha Palmer Kimball, First Vice President, succeeded to Presidency

1937

• National Convention held at Cincinnati, OH
• Martha Palmer Kimball, Diocese of Ohio, elected President (1937-1940)
• Extension secretaries visit around the country (c1937-1940)
• Daughters in California provided a chapel trailer for the Diocese of Los Angeles
• Daughters were falling “outside the fold”; Daughters not in chapters needed to be recognized
• Alice Berdell (Mrs. W. W.) Pedder, First Vice President, became The Royal Cross editor, relieving Dr. W. J. Loaring-Clark, who had assumed the duties of The Royal Cross editor at the death of his wife, Ada Loaring-Clark
• Elda Joyce Smith became missionary in China

1940

• National Convention held in Kansas City, MO
• Daughters-at-Large established
• Alice K. Rennie, secretary at the National Office
• Alice Berdell (Mrs. W. W.) Pedder, Diocese of Los Angeles, elected President (1940-1946), served for 6 years because the General Convention and National Convention were canceled in 1943
• Junior Daughters chapters established in China and Philippines
• War in Asia ends missionary work in China

1943

• General Convention and National Convention were canceled due to WWII and fuel rationing

1946

• National Convention held in Philadelphia, PA
• Constance (Mrs. Thomas J.) Shannon, Diocese of Connecticut, elected President (1946-1949) and also served as editor of The Royal Cross until March 1959
• Elda Smith, a missionary supported by the Self-Denial Fund, moved from China to serve in Honolulu, HI
• Miss Carmen Wolff began serving as missionary in China

1948

• National Office moved twice during the year: from the Methodist Bible House, 150-5th Ave., and from the Russell Sage Foundation, 130 E. 22nd St., New York, NY, to Metropolis Building, 31 Union Square West, New York, NY

1949

• National Convention held in San Francisco, CA
• Lillian Janet Soper, Diocese of Washington, elected President (1949-1955)

1950

• Carmen Wolff, Missionary, relocated from China to Brazil

1952

• National Convention held in Hartford, CT

1954

• Elizabeth Daniel, Missionary, began serving in Brazil with Carmen Wolff

1955

• National Convention held in Cleveland, OH
• Jessie (Mrs. E. J.) Tomenendal, Diocese of Chicago, elected President (1955-1958)
• Elda Smith, Missionary, left missionary work and entered the Community of the Transfiguration Convent in Ohio
• Order’s membership was 6,456 in 339 chapters in 60 dioceses
• Endowment Fund reaches $18,000

1958

• National Convention held in Miami, FL
• May Louise (Mrs. Raymond A.) Dayton, Diocese of Washington, elected President (1958-1961)
• Home-study course for membership preparation introduced

1960

• 75 Year Diamond Jubilee Celebration
• Order’s Senior membership was 6,584 in 372 chapters in 64 dioceses; Junior members neared 1,000 in 65 chapters in 27 dioceses

1961

• National Convention held in Detroit, MI
• Sara (Mrs. James Lyle) Cassidy, Diocese of Chicago, elected President (March 1961-1967) after she succeeded May Louise (Mrs. Raymond A.) Dayton, who died in office

1963

• The Very Reverend Edward L. Merrow became the first official Chaplain to National Council
• National Office moved to Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave., New York City, NY

1967

• National Convention held in Seattle, WA
• Laura (Mrs. Edward D.) Smith, Diocese of Atlanta, elected President (1967-1970)

1970

• National Convention held in Houston, TX
• Hattie K. Bunting, Diocese of Pennsylvania, elected President (1970-1976)

1971

• National Handbook revised
• President’s plaque established

1973

• National Convention held in Louisville, KY
• Patricia Powers began mission work in Brazil

1976

• National Convention held in Minneapolis, MN
• Ordination of women passed at General Convention
• Barbara (Mrs. Ivan E). Merrick, Diocese of Olympia, elected President (1976-1979)
• National Constitution revised; National Council members limited to three consecutive terms

1977

• Special fund set up for missionaries

1979

• National Convention held in Denver, CO
• Louise (Mrs. Carl) Johnson, Diocese of Los Angeles, elected President (1979-1982)
• Elizabeth Daniel, Missionary, celebrated 25th anniversary in mission service
• Patricia Powers graduated summa cum laude from college, commissioned as a missionary
• Jean Humphrey became National Office Administrator
• Order established in Baguio City, Philippines
• Order established in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Order affiliated with PEWSACTION and Anglican Fellowship of Prayer

1981

• National Office relocated from New York, NY to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA

1982

• National Convention held in New Orleans, LA
• Geraldine “Geri” (Mrs. John C.) Herren, Diocese of Rio Grande, elected President (1982-1985)
• Order added 2,000 new members and over 135 chapters during this triennium
• Order established in Paris, France, at Holy Trinity Cathedral
• Ethel Ripey, National Office administrator, had two staff members, Katherine Wolf and Jane Girardeau.
• First computer system purchased for National Office
• Automobile provided for missionaries in Brazil
• Order affiliated with Council of Women’s Ministries
• Tracey Southerland was administrative officer

1985

• National Convention held in Anaheim, CA.
• Ethel (Mrs. Henry) Ripley, Diocese of South Carolina, elected President (1985-1988)
• Lift High the Cross adopted as official hymn of the Order (Lord, Speak to Me was not included in 1982 Hymnal)
• National dues increased to $8.00; History of the Order released

1986

• First Affiliate Chapter formed in the Roman Catholic Church, Ashland, KY
• Patricia Powers, Missionary, ordained to priesthood
• Twelve Question Study Guide was developed

1988

• National Convention held in Detroit, MI
• Anne “Whitty” Bohmer (Mrs. Hunter) Isaacs, Diocese of Alabama, elected President (1988-1991)
• Procedures Manual included job descriptions of National Council members
• National Bylaws revised with information for Affiliate Chapters
• National dues were increased to $15
  

1990

• National Council authorized option of Lifetime Membership with one-time dues payment of $500
• Linda Patterson joined staff; promoted to Office Administrator
• Order’s membership was 7,800
• Esther Miller, Missionary in Zaire, awarded grant from Self-Denial Fund
• Dues notices for 1990-1991 billed directly to each Daughter
• National Office relocated to Tucker, GA, in November

1991

• National Convention held in Phoenix, AZ
• Elizabeth Hart, Diocese of Los Angeles, elected President (1991-1994)
• Daughters established in Uganda, Alaska, and Pine Ridge, SD
• Elizabeth Daniel, Missionary in Brazil, retired after 37 years of mission service
• Fax machine purchased for National Office

1992

• Self-Denial Fund began grant for shared ministry with Lakota Dakota missions, Pine Ridge, SD

1993

• National Office relocated to Marietta, GA

1994

• National Convention held in Brown County, IN
• Laurie Ann (Mrs. Ronald) Herman, Diocese of Western Michigan, elected President (1994-1997)
• Junior Daughters Handbook revised during this triennium
• International Chair, to oversee and set policy for international growth, appointed to National Council
• Order established in Cuba

1995

• National Office relocated to Kennesaw, GA, home of Linda Patterson, Office Administrator
• National Council adopted policy for criteria for financial investments for the Funds of the Order. Endowment Fund reached $95,000

1996

• National Council authorized production of “Women of Courage,” a 20-minute public-relations video, produced by Arden Moser, to be available by 1997 Triennial Assembly
• National Council endorsed “International Work in Uganda” video for publicity use
• Lifetime Membership dues account becomes part of the Endowment Fund
• National Twelve-Question Study Guide translated into Spanish
• Order established in Honduras

1997

• National Convention held in Philadelphia, PA
• Sue Zahn (Mrs. Lowell D.) Schlanbusch, Diocese of Michigan, elected President (1997-2000)
• Strategic Planning Committee appointed in response to phenomenal growth in the Order
• Linda Patterson promoted to Executive Director
• Endowment Fund adopted All Saints’ Day, November 1, as in-gathering day
• National Council authorized an International Cross, emblem of the Order, to be made in pewter
• Self-Denial Fund granted over $50,000

1999

• Fifty new chapters chartered in first quarter
• Order’s membership was 18,000
• Endowment Fund was more than $300,000
• Daughters of the King assembled in Brazil
• Site selection and loan from Endowment Fund for purchase of the National Office was approved by National Council

2000

• National Office purchased in Woodstock, GA
• National Convention held in Denver, CO
• Joan Lewis (Mrs. Jacob Victor) Millard, Diocese of Lexington, elected President (2000-2003)
• National Office blessed and dedicated as the Margaret J. Franklin Center, October 21

2001

• Linda L. Van became Director of Operations in the National Office

2003

• National Convention held in Minneapolis, MN
• Sharon (Mrs. Richard) Lundgren, Diocese of Texas, elected President (2003-2006)
• Annual Dues increased to $35 for Seniors, $15 for Juniors and $700 for Lifetime Membership
• First Kenyan chapter formed at Berea Theological College

2004

• Instituted dues collection via chapter presidents
• First chapter in Okinawa Japan since World War II instituted
• First chapter in Germany was Instituted

2005

• President Sharon Lundgren spoke at Christ’s Church Jerusalem, offering DOK to the first Anglican Church in the Holy Land (1849)
• Model for “Companions on the Way” approved by the National Council
• Daughters of the King assembled in the Virgin Islands

2006

• National Convention held in Orlando, FL
• Delegates from Anglican and Roman Catholic chapters were seated with voice and vote
• Joan Dalrymple (Mrs. George), Diocese of Colorado, elected President (2006-2009)
• More than 200 new chapters instituted in this Triennium
• 17 new Anglican Chapters instituted, 5 new chapters in Cuba
• Historic meeting and Eucharist shared with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at Triennial
• Daughters in Malawi held their first Triennial
• Mary Fletcher became National Office Administrator

2007

• Fifteen Kenyan chapters chartered together
• Hijas del Rey assembled in the Dominican Republic
• Junior Daughter Handbook revised
• Junior Daughter Study Guide approved

2008

• A National Junior Directresses Retreat was held at St. Christopher's Retreat Center, John's Island, SC

2009

• National Convention held in Anaheim, CA
• Grace Sears, Diocese of Lexington, elected President (2009-2012)
• Alpha Fund approved to support the Junior Daughter ministry
• The Rev. Susan Q. Claytor named first National Junior Daughters chaplain

2010

 
• Filles du Roi assembled in Haiti Nov. 13 at Paroisse Ascension
• First chapter in India instituted Nov. 25 at St. Michael's Church in Durgapur

2011

• Cross+Links, a national e-newsletter, began
• First chapter in Israel instituted Sept. 11 at Christ Church, Jerusalem
• Alpha Fund approved to support the Junior Daughter ministry
• A National Junior Directresses Retreat was held at St. Christopher's Retreat Center, John's Island, SC
• A Junior Directress manual was approved
• New Junior Daughter Study Guides and Leader's Guide approved

2012

• National Convention held in Indianapolis, IN
• Pam Runyon, Diocese of Western North Carolina, elected President (2012-2015)
• A $5 dues increase was approved for Diocesan Assembly support
• Daughters of the King assembled in Honduras
  
  

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