Stories from the First Cathedral 38

"With the birth of Henry Whipple Johnson, born in December 1861, the family of Enmegahbowh and Charlotte now included eight children. Martha was nineteen, Alfred was seventeen, Gaius was thirteen, George was ten, William was nine, Eliza was seven, Jane was five. Henry Whipple Johnson was baptized by Bishop Henry Whipple on August 1, 1862. Sarah Jamison was born to Enmegahbowh and Charlotte in June 1865. She was baptized on June 9 by Bishop Whipple." (A short excerpt from a new book I recommend everyone read called Stands Before His People Enmegahbowh and the Ojibwe by Vern Pickering and Stephen Schaitberger 2021)

Enmegahbowh is the first recognized Native American priest in the Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Kemper in 1859 and priest by Bishop Whipple at the first Cathedral in Faribault in 1867. He tirelessly traveled throughout Minnesota and beyond, actively participating in the development of mission strategy and policy for the Episcopal Church. He trained many others to serve as clergy in Northern Minnesota.

Enmegahbowh is buried at White Earth where he served until 1902 at his death. We remember him as an Episcopal saint on June 12.