Saint Oakerhater

Oakerhater, or “Making Medicine”, was born circa 1847 in Western Oklahoma. He was a warrior, possibly involved in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and a spiritual leader. His name can also be transliterated as “Medicine Man.” He was imprisoned in St. Augustine, Florida in 1875. While a prisoner, he drew pen and ink art in ledger books, signing his name Making Medicine** often with a glyph of a dancer in a Sun Dance lodge. This glyph is now depicted as a stained glass window at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City.

Captain Pratt, the camp officer, saw Oakerhater’s leadership skills and how his fellow prisoners respected him and made Oakerhater a trustee. The former Cheyenne warrior led the prisoners in daily military drills using dummy rifles.

In 1877, Mary Douglass Burnham, an Episcopal Deaconess, made arrangements to sponsor the education of several prisoners, including Oakerhater. David was sponsored by Senator George Pendleton of Paris Hill, New York, and ultimately moved in with Rev. John B. Wicks, the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paris Hill. There, he received instruction in agriculture, scripture, and current events.

He was baptized about six months later, in early 1878, and adopted the Christian name David, after King David of the Bible, and Pendleton, in honor of his sponsor.

He was ordained a Deacon in July, 1881 and returned to Western Oklahoma. He served near Anadarko for Sunday services and spent weekdays visiting and caring for sick members of various tribes.

He began his work at Whirlwind Mission of the Holy Family in 1889, near Fay, Oklahoma, about 17 miles west of Watonga. In one of his first sermons, he preached, "You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all He tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace."

He remained among the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples until his retirement in 1918. Even in retirement, he continued to preach and serve as a Chief and holy man. During his 50 years of committed service on his home reservation in western Oklahoma, the devout deacon was at times the single ordained presence in all of what was then known as Indian Territory. Oakerhater passed from this life on August 31st, 1931 at the age of 84. He was named a Holy Person, or Saint, in the Episcopal Church in 1985. His feast day is September 1.

A more detailed biography may be found at From Warrior to Saint, which includes letters written by Saint Oakerhater.

Click here to see the Oakerhater Lodge at St. Crispin’s.
Click here to see the Oakerhater Chapel at St. Paul’s Cathedral in OKC.