We Three Kings of Orient Are

John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1820–1891) was a true polymath of the 19th-century Episcopal Church, blending the roles of priest, journalist, musician, and artist. Born in Pittsburgh into a large, talented family—his father was the first Episcopal Bishop of Vermont—Hopkins was raised in an environment where theology and the arts were inextricably linked. His early career saw him wear many hats: a tutor at the Vermont Episcopal Institute, a reporter in New York City, and a law student. However, his life’s work eventually centered on ecclesiology, the study of church architecture and decoration, and the development of American hymnody. As the founder and editor of the Church Journal, he became a leading voice in ecclesiastical affairs, known as a sharp "controversialist" and scholar who was as comfortable designing stained-glass windows and episcopal seals as he was delivering the eulogy for President Ulysses S. Grant.

Hopkins is most enduringly celebrated for his contribution to the Christmas season. In 1857, while serving as the first instructor of church music at General Theological Seminary, he wrote both the lyrics and the music for "We Three Kings of Orient Are." Created for a family Christmas pageant, the carol was strikingly unique for its time; it was one of the first widely successful carols to be written and composed by the same person, and its structure alternating between the narrative verses of the individual Magi and a communal chorus, helped popularize the "carol" form in American worship. He eventually published this, along with other works, in his influential collection Carols, Hymns, and Songs (1863), which became a foundational text for Episcopal music.

Beyond his musical fame, Hopkins was a man of deep aesthetic and pastoral devotion. His artistic talents were applied practically to the churches he served; as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he not only cleared the parish’s significant debts but also designed church furniture, wrought-iron tombs, and Sunday school buildings. His work was characterized by a belief that the "beauty of holiness" should be reflected in the physical and auditory environment of the church. Despite his high-profile roles in New York and his scholarly reputation, he was remembered by his parishioners as a down-to-earth man who possessed a profound love for children and a tireless kindness toward those in need.

Hopkins remained a bachelor throughout his life, dedicating his energy entirely to his creative and ministerial pursuits. His later years were spent editing Great Hymns of the Church (1887) and writing a comprehensive biography of his father, ensuring the legacy of his family’s contribution to the American church. When he passed away in 1891, he left behind a body of work that bridged the gap between traditional European church music and a burgeoning, distinctively American liturgical style. His hymns, such as "Come with Us, O Blessed Jesus" and "God of Our Fathers, Bless This Our Land," continue to provide a dignified and artistic vocabulary for the Episcopal tradition he helped shape.