Honoring the Rev. Dr. Augusta Jane Chapin — Ordained in Lansing 161 Years Ago

Written By Ed Busch

Long before women could vote or attend most seminaries, Augusta Jane Chapin changed religious history—right here in Lansing.

Rev. Dr. Augusta Jane Chapin, one of the first women ordained in the Universalist Church and ordained in Lansing on December 7, 1864. (AHTL_Harvard, bms01446)

This week marks an extraordinary anniversary in our congregation’s history. On December 7, 1864, in the Universalist Church that once stood at the southeast corner of Allegan Street and Grand Avenue, Augusta Jane Chapin was ordained—making her one of the earliest women ordained by any denomination in the United States.

City of Lansing map, 1888. The circle shows the church location. (Source: Archives of Michigan)

Our church has a room named in her honor—the Chapin Room—but her story deserves to be remembered and celebrated widely.

A Remarkable Ordination in 1864

What the Diary and Newspaper Tell Us

The day of her ordination was carefully recorded in the diary of Rev. C. W. Knickerbacker: “AM preaching by Bro. Sawyer. PM preaching by Miss Chapin. Evening Miss C. ordained, sermon by self…laying on of hands by Sanford and Sawyer…benediction by Rev. Miss Chapin.”

Rev. C. W. Knickerbacker, whose diary preserves this moment, is recognized as our congregation’s second minister, serving intermittently between 1852–1860 and again in 1864.

The Lansing State Republican reported the event a week later, noting that Miss Chapin had already been an “acceptable preacher…for several years,” and that she was the only woman preacher of the Universalist denomination in Michigan.

She had deep local roots—educated at the Michigan Female College here in Lansing and a former principal at the Universalist College in Lyons, Michigan.

Additional context: The diary’s reference to “laying on of hands by Sanford” is especially meaningful. This Sanford was Rev. John H. Sanford, recognized as our congregation’s first minister and one of the signers of our 1849 incorporation papers. He is also credited with publishing Lansing’s first newspaper, The Primitive Expounder, in 1847.

The newspaper account also notes the participation of Rev. Edward Morris, identified as providing the “Reading of the Scriptures.” Morris was serving as our minister at the time, further grounding this ordination in the early leadership of our congregation.

A Pioneer in Ministry and Women’s Rights

Augusta Chapin was a trailblazer far beyond Lansing:

  • One of the first women ordained in the Universalist Church

  • First woman on the National Council of the Universalist General Convention (1870)

  • Founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Women

  • Key organizer of the 1893 World Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World’s Fair

  • The first woman ever awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree (Lombard University, 1893)

Her life’s work spanned ministry, education, women’s rights, and national leadership.

Her Ties to Mid-Michigan

Chapin grew up in Vevay Township, just south of Mason, and regularly returned home throughout her life. She preached in Lansing in 1874, briefly accepted the call to serve this congregation in 1875, and is buried today in Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason.

Her Legacy in Our Congregation

Chapin’s impact continued to shape UU Lansing long after her ordination. Chapin helped open the way for future women in our pulpit:

  • 1875: Rev. Augusta Chapin briefly served as our called minister

  • 1895: Olivia J. Carpenter was ordained in the same historic Lansing church building

  • 1942–43: Rev. Helen Follett Adams served as interim minister—our first woman in that role

  • 1976: Rev. Denise Tracy became our second called woman minister

In 2010, the UU Lansing Archives Committee nominated Augusta Jane Chapin to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, where she was inducted.

Learn More About Augusta Jane Chapin

If you’re interested in exploring Chapin’s remarkable life more deeply, here are a few reliable and engaging resources:

See Augusta Chapin Brought to Life

During our 175th Anniversary celebration on March 17, 2024, we welcomed an Augusta Chapin re-enactor who vividly portrayed her life and ministry. It’s a wonderful companion to this week’s historical reflection.

👉 Watch the reenactment here (begins at 1:13:24):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnw-crtYiv4

I’d Love to Hear From You

If you have memories, corrections, or stories connected to this week’s post—or if you simply enjoyed reading it—please feel free to email me. I’m always grateful for additions that help us preserve a fuller picture of UU Lansing’s history.
Email: uucgl.archives@gmail.com

Your comments truly help shape future posts. Thank you for reading and for helping keep our shared history alive.

Chapin’s courage continues to ripple through our community, reminding us how deeply our past shapes the spirit of UU Lansing today.

About Me

I’m a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing and serve as the volunteer blog archivist for our congregational history series. I’m retired from Michigan State University, where I worked in digital preservation and archives. I enjoy uncovering stories from church newsletters, board records, and local history sources to help connect our past with the present.

I also serve on the UU Lansing Stewardship Team and help with Building and Grounds.

Sources:

This piece was developed with research assistance and editorial support from ChatGPT.

 

Ed Busch
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A Look Back: Thanksgiving 1976 – Blessings, Promises, and Community