James DeKoven Day
One of the most respected leaders of the Anglo-Catholic movement — Influential in shaping the modern Episcopal Church
September 23rd, 2025
All are invited to attend this year’s DeKoven Day celebration on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. James DeKoven—one of the most respected leaders of the Anglo-Catholic Movement and influential in shaping the modern Episcopal Church. This year’s event will feature a special focus on the newly released biography by John E. Magerus, James DeKoven: Biography of a Famous Yet Forgotten Man.
John Magerus, former university professor and administrator, has, since retirement, actively pursued his passion for history. He has spent eight years immersed in the archives of the DeKoven Center, serving as head archivist. That work became the foundation for the first full-length biography of James DeKoven in over 125 years. The resulting book offers a compelling look at the life and legacy of this influential 19th-century Episcopal priest and educator in Wisconsin.
Perched on the bluffs of Lake Michigan and framed by nationally recognized architecture, the DeKoven Center stands on the historic campus of Racine College. When the Rev. Dr. James DeKoven arrived in 1859 from St. John’s Hall in Delafield to serve as Warden, he brought with him a bold vision. Inspired by the design of English colleges, he reimagined the campus as a residential quadrangle where students and faculty would live, learn, and worship together—a close-knit academic community rooted in shared purpose.
Under his leadership, Racine College flourished into a respected institution of higher learning, drawing distinguished educators and students from across the country. DeKoven himself became a national figure — a gifted preacher, writer, and educator, and a leading voice in the Anglo-Catholic movement. Today, he is commemorated with a feast day in the Episcopal Church on March 22.
The legacy of education that James DeKoven began has continued across generations. This campus has since been home to the Racine Military Academy; the Cove School, the nation’s first residential special education program; Racine Montessori School; and Spectrum School of the Arts. Today, the tradition of formation lives on through a growing teaching kitchen that provides hands-on job training in a working commercial kitchen. The historic quadrangle continues to host retreats, workshops, joyful weddings, and events. Through it all, the DeKoven Center remains a place that welcomes all who seek rest, reflection, and reconnection.
Eucharistic Mass | 1:00 p.m. | St. John’s Chapel
Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Celebrant the Rev. Geoffrey Ward, President of DeKoven Center and Rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, River Hills.
Book Signing & Reception | 2:00 p.m. | Taylor Hall
A book signing and reception with author John E. Magerus (James DeKoven: Biography of a Famous Yet Forgotten Man).
Who was James DeKoven?
James DeKoven
Noted Anglo-Catholic leader of the nineteenth century in the Episcopal Church
James DeKoven was the most widely known and respected leader of the Anglo-Catholic movement of the nineteenth century. He was influenced by the Oxford Movement (Tractarians) and brought many of their principles, especially the doctrine of the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist, to the attention of the Episcopal Church. Under his leadership as Warden of Racine College (the predecessor of DeKoven Center), the choir was vested, candles were allowed on the altar of St. John's Chapel and the Holy Eucharist and the Daily Offices were regular celebrated. He passionately defended eucharistic adoration and pleaded for comprehensiveness in doctrine and worship. His addresses to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1871 and 1874 are considered to be some of the most significant moments of oratory in the history of General Convention. While a stringent canon on ritual was avoided through DeKoven's advocacy, his defense of ritualism is today reflected in many practices common today in the Episcopal Church. DeKoven died in Racine in 1879 and buried on the grounds of the DeKoven Center. In 1964, his life was commemorated by the addition of March 22, the day of his burial, to the Episcopal Church calendar of the church year.
More on DeKoven
DeKoven was born in Middletown, Connecticut on Sept. 19, 1831. He graduated from Columbia College in 1851 and as valedictorian at the General Theological Seminary in 1854. DeKoven was ordained deacon on Aug. 6, 1854, and priest on Sept. 23, 1855. In 1854 he became professor of ecclesiastical history at Nashotah House and rector of St. John Chrysostom at nearby Delafield, Wisconsin. In 1858 he became warden of St. John's Hall, a preparatory school in Delafield. DeKoven became warden of Racine College in 1859 and served there until his death.
DeKoven was known as the “American Keble.” He was nominated Bishop of Massachusetts in 1872 and Milwaukee in 1874. He was elected but not consecrated Bishop of Illinois in 1875 because he did not receive the necessary consents from a sufficient number of diocesan standing committees in the Episcopal Church. He was never made a bishop. DeKoven died in Racine on Mar. 19, 1879.