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By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, December 24, 2023

Jackson Kemper born – Dec. 24, 1789

Jackson Kemper (1789-1870), the first missionary bishop of The Episcopal Church. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Jackson Kemper, the first missionary bishop of The Episcopal Church, was born in Pleasant Valley, New York.

A graduate of Columbia College who would be ordained a priest in 1814, Kemper was known for championing mission work, especially in the western world.

“He promoted a diocesan missionary society in Pennsylvania and was its first missionary. He was a prominent leader in the formation of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society in 1820 and 1821,” explained The Episcopal Church.

“On Sept. 25, 1835, he was consecrated Missionary Bishop of Indiana and Missouri. His jurisdiction grew to include Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska.”

In 1859, Kemper stepped down from his role overseeing mission work and became the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin, where he served until his death in 1870.