The Order of the Daughters of the King ® is for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church. We also welcome members from churches in communion with it, or those in the historic episcopate.
Our membership currently includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches.
We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun and others have been on this path for a long time. Regardless of where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.
- Recognizes episcopal (bishop’s) oversight.
- Believes that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation.
- We acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and the real presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. Furthermore, we worship according to The Book of Common Prayer.
Reaffirming the promises made at Baptism and Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of:
Prayer
Service
Evangelism
She receives support in this commitment from a worldwide community of like-minded women.
Our Journey Since 1885
Margaret J. Franklin instituted The Order on Easter eve, 1885. The idea grew out of her senior Bible class for young women. This took place at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, now known as the Church of the Resurrection in New York City. The first chapter was called Alpha Chapter. Consequently, the formation of other groups and their desire to affiliate with the original Daughters of the King quickly increased the number of chapters. In addition, the Rev. Ralph Wood Kenyon, Rector of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, was the first national chaplain for The Order. He was a man of vision. When the number of chapters reached 50, he helped draft the first constitution. It was formally adopted during the first council meeting in 1892. Following this, on October 25, 1893, the first national convention was convened in Baltimore, Maryland. Nearly 200 delegates attended the convention.
Growth and Incorporation
They represented 250 chapters and a total membership of approximately 8,000. Members originally incorporated The Order in New York in 1917. Then in 1986 it was incorporated again under the laws of the State of Georgia, where the National Office is now located. Significant in the annals of our Order was the establishment of the Junior Division. In 1996 Mary C. Davenport formed the Alpha Chapter of Junior Daughters with girls from the Sunday school class of her parish, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.
Ultimately, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our vision as Daughters of the King is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.
For His Sake
I am but one, but I am one
I cannot do everything, but I can do something
What I can do, I ought to do
What I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do
Lord, what will have you me do?
The Emblem of the Order
Additionally, Members wear the emblem every day to remind them of their vows. The Latin inscription, “MAGNANIMITER CRUCEM SUSTINE” translates to “with heart, mind and spirit uphold and bear the cross.” The initials “FHS” at the base of the cross means “For His Sake.” The Order has trademarked the emblem for its exclusive use.