author
William Reed Huntington
1838–1909
An Episcopal priest, writer, and church reformer, he helped shape American Anglican life in the late 19th century. He is especially remembered for clear, practical thinking about worship, unity, and the mission of the church.
1 Audiobook
A Short History of the Book of Common Prayer
by William Reed Huntington
About the author
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1838, William Reed Huntington studied at Harvard and went on to become an Episcopal priest. After early ministry in Boston, he served for many years as rector of All Saints' Church in Worcester and later as rector of Grace Church in New York City, where he remained until his death in 1909.
Huntington became one of the best-known church leaders of his time even though he was never a bishop. He was often called the "First Presbyter of the Episcopal Church," a sign of the respect he earned for his preaching, leadership, and influence on church life.
He also wrote widely on worship, theology, and Christian unity. His essay The Church-Idea helped inspire the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, an important statement in Anglican ecumenical thought, and his work on liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer left a lasting mark on the Episcopal Church.