You may know the beloved Christmas carol, We Three Kings, was originally titled Three Kings of Orient. You may also know it was sometimes known as We Three Kings of Orient Are and The Quest of the Magi and that it was written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins Jr. What you probably do not know, however, is that Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church on Mulberry Street in Williamsport, Pennsylvania from 1876 to 1887.

John Henry Hopkins, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh on October 28, 1820. His father was a well-respected Bishop who was also a talented musician, painter, poet, and author of many books on religion. Hopkins shared his father’s talents in writing and music but was not immediately drawn to the church. After graduating from the University of Vermont, Hopkins worked as a reporter in New York City while also studying law. Around this time, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and go into ministry.

Hopkins went on to study at the General Theological Seminary in New York where he was ordained as a deacon in 1850. In 1872, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. would be ordained a priest and go on to serve parishes in Pennsylvania and New York. Hopkins even delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Ulysses S. Grant, American soldier and 18th president of the United States.

Although Hopkins is most remembered for his famous Christmas carol, he was much more accomplished than most people might realize. The third of eleven children and oldest son, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. was also founder of the publication Church Journal, which he began in 1853 and served as its editor until 1868. He was also a writer, a poet, authored of a biography of his father and a book of poetry. He wrote many pamphlets and edited numerous articles and books. His most significant musical collection was Carols, Hymns and Songs which was published in 1863 and was the first official publication of We Three Kings.

We Three Kings:

We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.