This Week in Texas Methodist History April 9
Mattie Wright consecrated first deaconess in MEC, South, April 15, 1903
Although women have long constituted a majority of Methodists, they were denied leadership positions in almost all branches of the Wesleyan tradition. As the 19th century came to a close, though, several factors were converging that would allow women increasing opportunities for witness and service. In 1888 the General Conference of the MEC authorized the position of deaconess. Women quickly went to work in hospitals, orphanages, settlement houses, and schools. Cincinnati, Ohio, soon became a center of deaconess training for the MEC with a teaching hospital, residential facilities, and other support services.
The MECS was slower to act, but the General Conference of 1902 created the office of deaconess. Mattie Wright became the first woman so consecrated on April 15, 1903. In 1907 Deaconess Wright was appointed to Houston. Houston at that time was establishing itself as the petroleum capital of the southwest. The port was expanding, and a population boom was underway. Wright soon identified the need for housing for young, unmarried women who had come to Houston seek employment in the burgeoning city. Very soon after her arrival in Houston, Wright rented a seven room house on the corner of Conti and Chapman streets (a few bocks north of downtown). Houston Methodists soon furnished the home, and twelve women soon resided at the Cooperative Home for Working Girls.
Wright had to turn away prospective residents almost daily. This distressed her so that she threw herself into finding larger accomodations. When a hotel on North Main became available, she convinced Houston Methodists to acquire it. Ater some remodeling in which the saloon was turned into a kindergarten and the billiard hall into a clinic. the "Wesley House" opened for business. The facility was soon filled with young women. They were provided much more than a safe place to stay. McKee Stree Methodist Church provided opportunities for spiritual growth. There was also wholesome recreation in the form of sports teams, some health care, community, and friendship with a loving deaconess--Mattie Wright.
Although women have long constituted a majority of Methodists, they were denied leadership positions in almost all branches of the Wesleyan tradition. As the 19th century came to a close, though, several factors were converging that would allow women increasing opportunities for witness and service. In 1888 the General Conference of the MEC authorized the position of deaconess. Women quickly went to work in hospitals, orphanages, settlement houses, and schools. Cincinnati, Ohio, soon became a center of deaconess training for the MEC with a teaching hospital, residential facilities, and other support services.
The MECS was slower to act, but the General Conference of 1902 created the office of deaconess. Mattie Wright became the first woman so consecrated on April 15, 1903. In 1907 Deaconess Wright was appointed to Houston. Houston at that time was establishing itself as the petroleum capital of the southwest. The port was expanding, and a population boom was underway. Wright soon identified the need for housing for young, unmarried women who had come to Houston seek employment in the burgeoning city. Very soon after her arrival in Houston, Wright rented a seven room house on the corner of Conti and Chapman streets (a few bocks north of downtown). Houston Methodists soon furnished the home, and twelve women soon resided at the Cooperative Home for Working Girls.
Wright had to turn away prospective residents almost daily. This distressed her so that she threw herself into finding larger accomodations. When a hotel on North Main became available, she convinced Houston Methodists to acquire it. Ater some remodeling in which the saloon was turned into a kindergarten and the billiard hall into a clinic. the "Wesley House" opened for business. The facility was soon filled with young women. They were provided much more than a safe place to stay. McKee Stree Methodist Church provided opportunities for spiritual growth. There was also wholesome recreation in the form of sports teams, some health care, community, and friendship with a loving deaconess--Mattie Wright.
posted by texman at 6:54 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home