Stories from the First Cathedral 34: Cornelia's Ministry in Chicago

I haven't written enough words in the past First Cathedral stories about Cornelia Whipple. She was college educated. She was the mother of six children. Cornelia was responsible for prodding her husband Henry, in the early years of their ministry, to study for holy orders. She also developed a fruitful ministry in Chicago under the sponsorship of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.

"Cornelia Whipple took an active part in the work of her husband's mission. She too felt a strong calling to serve the poor and bring them to Christ, a habit mind that went back to her school days. The poor families in the back alleys of the Whipples' neighborhood soon became familiar with the cleric's wife who visited their sick and needy and her efforts were appreciated by those she served." (and the Wilderness shall Blossom - Henry Benjamin Whipple Churchman Educator Advocate of the Indians  by Ann Beiser Allen)

In other Whipple texts I have read, Cornelia Whipple's safety was her husband's concern as she ministered to people in the dangerous neighborhoods surrounding the Church of the Holy Communion. Cornelia would often go out late at night after the children went to bed to give pastoral care to the down and out of the congregation. This exceptional and courageous effort from Cornelia would not last long. In July of 1859, Henry Whipple was given the news from the Rev Dr Robert H Clarkson of St James Church that he was elected bishop of the new diocese of Minnesota. When Cornelia and the six children arrived in Faribault, MN to be at the side of her husband Henry as he began his long episcopate, it was the beginning of a remarkable adventure of ministry in the new diocese. This work of Cornelia from 1859 to 1890 is often overshadowed by her husband's work and notoriety!