30+ Women in Church History: A Book List

Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? Or that the theme for Women’s History Month 2019 is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence”? What about changing it up and celebrating Women in Church History Month?

Throughout the story of God’s work in and for his people, he has used women. Since he created both men and women in his image, male and female, both are valuable in his sight.

In fact, our upcoming Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Read Along includes the study of Ruth–one of the most well known women in church history!

We don’t offer this list as a celebration of “women” so much as a celebration of the many examples of God’s work through women in church history. May each of these women inspire you to look to Christ, to follow him faithfully, and to encourage your daughters to do the same!

30+ Women in Church History: A Redeemed Reader Book List

Titles are adult titles that also work for teens unless identified as “middle grades.” Titles are linked to amazon {affiliate links!} for your convenience, but you might be surprised to find some of these in your local library!

Women in Church History: Biography Anthologies

*Radiant: 50 Remarkable Women in Church History by Richard Hannula. A wonderfully concise look at 50 different women in church history, chronologically arranged. Read our starred review of Radiant!

7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatnessby Eric Metaxes. Metaxas looks at Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Sister Maria of Paris, Corrie Ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa. 

Eight Women of Faith by Michael A. G. Haykin. A nice collection of mini-biographies including Lady Jane Grey, Anne Steele, Margaret Baxter, Esther Edwards Burr, Anne Dutton, Ann Judson, Sarah Edwards, and Jane Austen.

Contemporary Women in Church History

Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis Majors. An 18-year-old girl leaves everything to serve the Lord in Africa, becoming a mother to a number of adopted children in the process.

*Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate McCord. A glimpse of the people and culture of Afghanistan through the eyes of a Christian working with an NGO. Read our starred review!

20th Century Women in Church History

Memories of Sandfields by Bethany Lloyd-Jones. The wife of Martyn Lloyd-Jones reflects on their early years.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. A beautiful testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness admit the harshness of the Holocaust. Note that there is a great “Young Readers Version,” suitable for ages 10 and up. See also Courage in the Face of Evil for another story of a Christian in the Holocaust.

Mrs. Oswald Chambers by Michelle Ule. We wouldn’t have had My Utmost for His Highest if not for her!

A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliott. A beautifully written account of the missionary who ministered to India’s children, mothering them for decades with no furlough.

I Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh. A Muslim woman’s dramatic conversion to Christ and the ensuing consequences. Read our review!

Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose. The moving account of one woman’s experience in the Japanese internment camps during WWII, and her outspoken witness for Christ.

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. This is her most famous book, about her husband and the four other men who were martyred in Ecuador. But do look up her other, more personal books! Read our starred review of Through Gates of Splendor!

The Tapestry: the Life and Times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer by Edith Schaeffer. A meaty, lengthy biography of the work the Lord did in and through the Schaeffers, particularly during their time at L’Abri. See also Edith Schaeffer’s Hidden Art. (Neither are still in print, but both can be found used!)

Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt by Geoff and Janet Benge. Although born in the 19th century, much of Lillian’s work in the first Egyptian orphanage took place in the early 20th century. One of the best of the Christian Heroes Then & Now series! Middle grades and up.

Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward and Christine Hunter. Another British missionary who mothered countless children, this time in China in a region where few had seen a white woman before. Middle grades and up.

If I Perish by Esther Ahn Kim. Ahn E. Sook suffered through Japanese prisons, remaining faithful to Christ.

A Cup of Cold Water: The Compassion of Nurse Edith Cavell by Christine Farenhorst (Chosen Daughters series). A nurse in Belgium during World War I. Middle grades.

Johanna and Henriette Kuyper: Daring to Change Their World by Abigail van der Velde (Chosen Daughters series). The wife and daughter of Abraham Kuyper begin the 20th century with different callings, but the Lord uses them both. Middle grades.

Isobel Kuhn: On the Roof of the World by Geoff and Janet Benge (YWAM Christian Heroes Then & Now) and Isobel Kuhn: Lights in Lisuland by Irene Howat (Christian Focus Trail Blazers Series). Isobel Kuhn served with China Inland Mission. Middle grades.

Betty Greene: Wings to Serve by Geoff and Janet Benge (YWAM Christian Heroes Then & Now) and Betty Greene: Courage Has Wings by Irene Howat (Christian Focus Trail Blazers Series). A Mission Aviation Fellowship pioneer, Greene was the first pilot! Middle grades.

19th Century Women in Church History

A Passion for the Impossible: the Life of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness. Lilias Trotter devoted her life to Northern Africa instead of pursuing a promising art career under the tutelage of John Ruskin. Don’t miss the picture book version: *Lily: The Girl Who Could See.

Narrative of Sojourner Truth. Based on the 1884 publication of Sojourner’s writings. Upper middle grades and up.

Mary Slessor: Servant to the Slave by Catherine McKenzie (Christian Focus Trail Blazers series) and Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar by Geoff and Janet Benge (YWAM Christian Heroes Then & Now). Mary Slessor went to unreached tribes in Africa. Both titles are middle grades.

Fanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s Song by Lucille Travis (Christian Focus Trail Blazers Series). If your church sings traditional hymns, chances are you’ve sung a hymn written by Fanny Crosby! Middle grades.

Lottie Moon: Giving Her All for China by Geoff and Janet Benge (YWAM Christian Heroes Then & Now). A Southerner who felt God’s call to go to China and obeyed.

Pre-19th Century Women in Church History

*Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober. The wife of John Adams shows a clear faith through her journals and letters. Read our starred review!

Lady Jane Grey by Simonetta Carr. Lady Jane Grey was only queen for a few days, but her triumphant faith during the English Reformation is still remembered today! Picture book, but on a middle grades reading level.

Julia Gonzaga by Simonetta Carr. Gonzaga was a Christian during the Italian Reformation. Picture book, but on a middle grades reading level.

Marie Durand by Simonetta Carr. Inspiring story of a French Huguenot imprisoned for her faith. Picture book, but on a middle grades reading level.

Wings Like a Dove: the Courage of Queen Jeanne D’Albret by Christine Farenhorst (Chosen Daughters Series). A French Huguenot queen, Jeanne D’Albret’s story is also included in Radiant. Middle grades.

Dr. Oma: The Healing Wisdom of Countess Juliana Von Stolberg by Ethel Herr (Chosen Daughters Series). Her father was William of Orange; Juliana is a Dutch Reformation hero. Middle grades.

Against the Tide: the Valor of Margaret Wilson by Hope Irvin Marston (Chosen Daughters Series). Margaret Wilson was a Scottish Covenanter during the tremendous persecution throughout 17th century Scotland. Middle grades.

Weight of a Flame: The Passion of Olympia Morata by Simonetta Carr (Chosen Daughters Series). She was a tutor during 16th century Italy when the Reformation began to turn things upside down. Middle grades.

Who are some of the women in church history that you most admire?