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David Pendleton Oakerhater, Holy Man

One of St. Paul’s outreach programs is the Oakerhater Guild. This ministry continues the work begun by the Reverend David Pendelton Oakerhater to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribe of Western Oklahoma. Rev. Oakerhater was the first Native American to be ordained in the Episcopal Church, to the order of deacons.

Oakerhater, or “Making Medicine”, was born circa 1847 in Western Oklahoma. He was a warrior, possibly involved in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and a spiritual leader. His name can also be transliterated as “Medicine Man.” He was imprisoned in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1875. While there,he was among those who developed “ledger art.”

Captain Pratt, the camp officer, saw Oakerhater’s leadership skills, and how his fellow prisoners respected him, and made Oakerhater a trustee. The former Cheyenne warrior led the prisoners in daily military drills, using dummy rifles.

In 1877, Mary Douglass Burnham, an Episcopal deaconess, made arrangements to sponsor the education of several prisoners, including Oakerhater. David was sponsored by Senator George Pendleton of Paris Hill, New York, and ultimately moved in with Rev. John B. Wicks, the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paris Hill. There, he received instruction in agriculture, Scripture, and current events.

He was baptized about six months later, in early 1878, and adopted the Christian name David, after King David of the Bible, and Pendleton, in honor of his sponsor.

He was ordained a deacon in July, 1881, and returned to western Oklahoma. He served near Anadarko for Sunday services, and spent weekdays visiting and caring for sick members of various tribes.

He began his work at Whirlwind Mission of the Holy Family in 1889, near Fay, Oklahoma, about 17 miles west of Watonga. He remained there until his retirement in 1918. Even in retirement, he continued to preach, and served as a Native American chief and holy man. He died in 1931, at the age of 84. He was named a Holy Person, or saint, in the Episcopal Church in 1985; his feast day is September 1.


A more detailed biography may be found at From Warrior to Saint, which includes letters written by David.


More on David Pendleton Oakerhater and St. Paul's Cathedral

Click here to see the Oakerhater Chapel in St. Paul's Cathedral and our annual worship celebration in his honor, and here to know more about the Oakerhater Guild.


Stained glass reproduction of Oakhater's Glyph, in the Oakerhater Chapel at St. Paul's

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Upcoming Events

Sunday, 1/24 at 12:00 PM
3 year - K Virtual Church School
Sunday, 1/24 at 12:30 PM
1st - 5th grade Virtual Church School
Sunday, 1/24 at 5:00 PM
Compline
Tuesday, 1/26 at 12:00 PM
Al-Anon meeting-Offsite
Tuesday, 1/26 at 6:00 PM
Women's CoDA meeting-Offsite
Tuesday, 1/26 at 7:15 PM
Nar-Anon meeting-Offsite
Wednesday, 1/27 at 9:00 AM
Mobile Meals - Offsite
Wednesday, 1/27 at 10:00 AM
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3 year - K Virtual Church School

Sunday, January 24, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Join us via Zoom for virtual church school. Ages 3 years through K. This week's topic will be "Jesus Fisher of Men." Email [email protected] for zoom link.

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1st - 5th grade Virtual Church School

Sunday, January 24, 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Join us for virtual church school. Grades 1st-5th grade will be using "Brick by Brick" so grab your legos as we talk about "Jesus Fisher of Men." Email [email protected] for zoom link.

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Compline

Sunday, January 24, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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Al-Anon meeting-Offsite

Tuesday, January 26, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Undercroft.

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Women's CoDA meeting-Offsite

Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Library.

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Nar-Anon meeting-Offsite

Tuesday, January 26, 7:15 PM - 8:15 PM

Undercroft.

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Mobile Meals - Offsite

Wednesday, January 27, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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Cathedral Bookstore Open

Wednesday, January 27, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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Sermons

  • Jan 3 | The Reverend Canon Tim Sean Youmans
    Second Sunday after Christmas
  • Dec 25 | ​The Reverend Canon Susan Colley Joplin
    Christmas Day 11am
  • Dec 24 | The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed
    Christmas Eve 11pm
  • Dec 24 | The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell, Dean
    Christmas Eve 8pm
  • Dec 6 | The Reverend Canon Tim Sean Youmans
    Second Sunday of Advent

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