In over 250 years of existence, Columbia has spent all but 50 of those affiliated with the Episcopal church (the American counterpart to the Church of England). When King George II granted land to King’s College, the institution that would become Columbia, he did so on the condition that the school maintain its “communion with the Church of England.” The first University Chaplain was hired in 1857; that position was held by an Episcopal priest until the Rev. John D. Cannon, the last Episcopal University Chaplain, resigned in 1969.