Daughters of the King
The Order of the Daughters of the King began on Easter Eve, April 4, 1885, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Sepulcher, now known as the Church of the Resurrection in New York City. The Order was founded by Margaret J. Franklin as the outgrowth of a Bible class and named Daughters of the King. Within seven years, fifty chapters had formed and the National Order of the Daughters of the King was established. By the following year, 1893, the Order’s membership had grown to 8,000 and the first national convention of the Daughters of the King was held. Since that time, chapters have spread throughout the world. Today there are chapters located throughout the United States, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa and India.
Formation of a chapter requires the consent of the priest or pastor of the church and a minimum of three women who are communicants in good standing in the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church (ECLA) or the Roman Catholic Church, and who desire to commit themselves to a life of prayer and service.
Membership is granted only after a period of study using our National Study Guide, and followed by a period of discernment and prayer. At the end of this time, with the approval of her priest, the candidate may take life-time vows, binding herself to a Rule of Life which encompasses daily prayer, service and evangelism. After she takes her vows, the Daughter wears the cross of the Order, as an outward sign and constant reminder of the vows she has taken. Because of our vows, our bylaws prohibit us from raising funds. We may only make personal offerings from what we have been blessed to receive.
We have 19 active chapters in Oklahoma with nearly 200 members throughout the state. We hold an annual Fall Retreat at St. Crispin’s and a Spring Assembly which rotates among different chapters around the state.
Click here to learn more about our upcoming event!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Merrie Beard, the Diocesan Daughters of the King President via email at merriebeard@gmail.com .