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Clergy Bio

Jacob Albright, 1759-1808
Founder of the Evangelical Association (later the Evangelical Church).

Richard Allen, 1760-1831

Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Francis Asbury, 1745-1816

One of the founding bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.

Minerva G. Carcano, b. 1954

First Hispanic/Latina Woman to be Elected to the Episcopacy.

Colleen Kyung Seen Chun, b. 1949

First Korean Woman to be Received into Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.

Thomas Coke, 1747-1814

One of the founding bishops of the Methodist Episcoopal Church in the United States.

Sallie A. Crenshaw, 1900-1986

First African American women, along with Nora E. Young, to receive full-clergy rights.

Helenor M. Davisson, 1866

The First Woman Ordained Deacon in The Methodist Protestant Church by the North Indiana Conference - 1866

Julia Torres Fernandez, 1904-1988

First Hispanic/Latina Woman to be Received into Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.

Lois V. Glory-Neal, b. 1931

First Native American Woman to be Received into Full Connection in The United Methodist Church.

Alejo Hernandez, 1842-1875

The first Latino to be ordained in Methodism.

Maud Jensen, 1904-1998

First woman to received full clergy rights in the Methodist Church.

Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly,  1920-2012

First African American Woman to be Elected to the Episcopacy.

Mamie Ming Yan Ko

One of the first two Chinese Women  (see also Mochie Lam) to be received into Full Connection.

Mochi Lam, b. 1939

One of the First Two Chinese Women (see also Mamie Ming Yan Ko) to be Received into Full Connection in The United Methodist Church.

Marjorie Matthews, 1916-1986

First Woman Elected a Bishop in the United Methodist Church.

Margaret Misal, b.1938

First East Indian Woman to be Received into Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.

Christian Newcomer, 1749-1830

Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Ella Niswonger, 1865-1944

The First Woman to be Ordained in The United Brethren Church - 1889

Charity Opheral, dates unknown

The First Woman to Receive Commendation to Preach by the White River Annual Conference in 1847 and Local License to Preach in 1849 in The United Brethren Church

William Orwig, 1810-1889

Evangelical Association bishop.

Philip Otterbein, 1726-1813

One of Founders of the United Brethren in Christ Church.

Naomi P. F. Southard, b. 1951

First Japanese Woman to be Received into Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

His many beloved hymns captured the central teachings of “scriptural Christianity” and Methodist emphases teaching the faith and stirring the soul.  One of his best known hymns is the Christmas classic, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

John Wesley, 1703-1791

Brief summary of the life of John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism

Nora E. Young, dates unknown

First African American women, along with Sallie Crenshaw, to receive full-clergy rights.