American Anglicanism Began in California.
The New World was discovered a short time before Dr. Martin Luther lit the spark which started the Reformation on the Continent. Following Columbus, explorers from many countries in the Old World turn their attention to the new Western World. As each new territory was explored, the area was claimed for both the country from which the explorer came, and for the established Church of that country.
South America was claimed for Spain and the Roman Church; Canada and the Louisiana territory were originally claimed for France and also the Roman Church. England was primarily interested in North America and based its claim on the discoveries of John Cabot during the reign of Henry VII.
Sir Francis Drake and the First English Service in California
In 1579, Sir Francis Drake sailed around the Horn in his ship the “Pelican,” later known as the “Golden Hind.” He put in for repairs on the coast of California near where San Francisco now stands. While ashore, the Anglican priest who had accompanied them held a Prayerbook service for the crew. This historic Celtic cross memorializes a Prayer Book service held near Drake’s Bay on St. John the Baptist’s Day, June 24, 1579, by Francis Fletcher, an Anglican priest and chaplain to Sir Francis Drake.
This was the first English language and first Prayer Book service in North America.
A huge stone cross now stands in Gold Gare Park in San Francisco to commemorate this event. The English did not, unfortunately, attempt to colonize California and it became largely Roman Catholic. In this vintage photo, we see a crowd gathered at the foot of the towering granite cross, which rises more than 60 feet into the foggy California sky.
(On the Reverse)
“First Christian Service in the English Tongue on our Coast.
First use of Book of Common Prayer in our Country.
One of the first recorded Missionary Prayers on our Continent.
Soli Deo Sit Semper Gloria.”
(On Base Front)
“Gift of George W. Childs, Esq., of Philadelphia.”
A memorial of the service held on the shore of Drakes Bay about St John Baptists Day June 24 1579 by Francis Fletcher Priest of the Church of England Chaplain of Sir Francis Drake Chronicler of the Service
Bishop William Ingraham Kip and the Growth of Anglicanism in California
The first Anglican Bishop in California wouldn’t come until Bishop William Ingraham Kip in the middle of the 19th century. In 1853, Kip was chosen to be the missionary bishop to California. He was the 59th bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church USA, and was consecrated by Bishops Jackson Kemper, Alfred Lee, and William Jones Boone.
In 1853, Dr. Kip was chosen to be a missionary bishop for the church in California. There was a tight deadline, and he was urged—by telegrams and other messages—to quickly accept the role, or the church would have to wait another three years to fill the position. He rushed to New York, where the final preparations for his consecration were already in motion. The ceremony happened on October 28, 1853—St. Simon and St. Jude’s Day. His brother-in-law, Bishop Burgess of Maine, gave the sermon, and Bishop Kemper led the service as the chief consecrator.
The Anglicans had only two churches in California when he arrived, but quickly grew as immigrants moved West. In three years time, Kip had grown the church enough to become a diocese in its own right.
Standing tall amid the eucalyptus groves of Golden Gate Park, the Prayer Book Cross is a striking and solemn monument that marks one of the earliest Christian services conducted in English on the North American continent.
The Prayerbook Cross is not only a monument to Anglican history, but a reminder of the deep spiritual roots that shaped early America. Have you visited Golden Gate Park and seen this forgotten legacy? Share your thoughts or photos in the comments below.
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