An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Coffin, Margaret

(Apr. 16, 1769-Nov. 21, 1855). First person confirmed in Massachusetts. She was born in Boston and confirmed in 1786 at Christ Church, better known as Old North Church by Bishop Samuel Seabury. She loved the Prayer Book, which she called “the second greatest book in the world,” and distributed three thousand of them during the last years of her life. This work was made permanent by provision in her will, and the Margaret Coffin Prayer Book Society held its first meeting on July 19, 1856. The society continues to provide Prayer Books and hymnals to missions and institutions.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.