Every December, as the familiar melody of “We Three Kings” drifts across radio waves and fills church sanctuaries throughout America, few listeners realize they are experiencing a piece of Lycoming County history. This beloved Christmas carol, the first composed in the United States to achieve widespread popularity, carries within its notes the legacy of a man who called Williamsport home for eleven transformative years.
John Henry Hopkins Jr. served as rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport from 1876 to 1887, bringing to the community not only spiritual leadership but also remarkable artistic vision. Though he had already published “We Three Kings” in 1863 as part of his collection “Carols, Hymns, and Songs,” his time in Williamsport would prove instrumental in cementing both his legacy and the carol’s enduring place in American Christmas tradition.
The stone walls of Christ Episcopal Church still bear witness to Hopkins’ creative genius. During his tenure, he designed several significant pieces that continue to serve the congregation today, including the bishop’s chair and elements of the cathedral itself. Perhaps most remarkable among his contributions stands the bishop’s crozier, a shepherd’s staff adorned with carefully selected crystals that remains in active use by the Episcopal Diocese.
This hand-carved wooden crozier represents more than mere craftsmanship. Each gem embedded in its surface symbolizes a different aspect of creation, transforming a functional religious tool into a theological statement. The fact that successive bishops have continued using Hopkins’ crozier rather than commissioning their own speaks to both its artistic merit and spiritual significance. Where most bishops carry personal staffs that travel with them throughout their ministry, this particular crozier remains anchored to Williamsport, creating an unbroken link between past and present.
The congregation at Christ Episcopal Church maintains a beautiful tradition regarding their former rector’s most famous composition. Rather than incorporating “We Three Kings” into their Christmas services, they reserve it specifically for Epiphany, celebrated on January 6. This date marks the arrival of the wise men at the manger, the very scene Hopkins captured in his beloved carol.
On Epiphany morning each year, the opening notes of “We Three Kings” fill the sanctuary as the congregation’s voices join in the hymn that has touched millions of lives worldwide. This deliberate timing honors both the carol’s intended purpose and its theological accuracy, keeping it distinct from the broader Christmas season while maintaining its sacred significance.
Hopkins published his carol during the Civil War era, a time when American composers struggled to create works that could compete with centuries-old European religious music. “We Three Kings” broke this barrier, becoming the first American Christmas carol to achieve international recognition. Its success paved the way for other American composers and established a uniquely American voice in sacred music.
The carol’s enduring popularity stems partly from its accessibility. Unlike many traditional hymns that require trained voices or complex harmonies, “We Three Kings” invites participation from singers of all abilities. Its memorable refrain creates moments of shared joy in churches, schools, and homes across the globe.
During Hopkins’ Williamsport years, the city was experiencing its own golden age as the lumber capital of the world. The wealth generated by the timber industry supported not only economic growth but also cultural development. Hopkins arrived during this flourishing period, finding a community ready to embrace artistic excellence and spiritual depth.
The physical remnants of Hopkins’ ministry continue inspiring new generations of worshippers. Visitors to Christ Episcopal Church can still see the bishop’s chair he designed and witness the ongoing use of his crozier. These tangible connections to the past create a sense of continuity that transcends individual lifetimes.
Today, when families gather around pianos to sing Christmas carols or children perform in holiday pageants, they participate in a tradition that began in the heart of Pennsylvania’s lumber country. The words “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar” carry echoes of nineteenth-century Williamsport, where a gifted rector transformed biblical narrative into enduring song.
As this holiday season unfolds and “We Three Kings” once again fills the air, remember that this cherished carol springs from Lycoming County soil. John Henry Hopkins Jr. may have completed his earthly ministry long ago. Still, his musical legacy continues bringing joy to millions, a fitting tribute to both his talent and his adopted hometown of Williamsport.
