The Oakerhater Chapel is named in honor of Saint David Pendleton Oakerhater, a Cheyenne warrior who, in 1875, was taken prisoner by the U.S. Army and sent to a military prison in St. Augustine, Florida. During his imprisonment, he embraced the teachings of Jesus and was baptized in 1878. Later ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church, he returned to his people near Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1881. To his people, he declared: “You all know me. You remember when I led you out to war, I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been to the East and 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.”

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Oakerhater’s ministry was well received, with one of his first converts being Whirlwind, the tribe’s chief. Throughout his life, Oakerhater guided his people through challenging times, often facing opposition from government forces and apathy from the larger Church, yet he remained steadfast in his faith. Even in retirement, he continued as a Cheyenne peace chief and “holy man,” providing pastoral care, performing baptisms, marriages, and funerals, and training lay readers among his people until his death on August 31, 1931.

Oakerhater embodied the spirit of reconciliation. We honor his legacy at St. Francis of the Woods by striving to be a place and a people of reconciliation, respecting and celebrating the traditions of Oakerhater’s people.

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All are welcome at our services, but the Oakerhater Chapel is only open during service times. 

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Visit From Warrior to Saint from the Digital Collections of Oklahoma State University for more information on Saint David Pendleton Oakerhater