Stepping Heavenward

Beloved by generations of readers for over 150 years, Stepping Heavenward is a timeless Christian classic that traces one woman’s journey from youthful restlessness to deep, abiding faith. Written in intimate diary format, the novel follows Katherine Mortimer from the age of sixteen as she navigates the joys and trials that shape a life of devotion.

Through the ordinary struggles of growing up, marriage, motherhood, loss, and illness, Katherine discovers that the path to spiritual maturity is rarely smooth — but always guided by a loving God.

Elizabeth Prentiss crafts a profoundly honest portrait of the Christian life, one where doubt and impatience give way to grace, surrender, and transformation. Katherine’s voice feels remarkably modern — candid, sometimes humorous, often achingly vulnerable — making her spiritual journey as compelling today as when it was first published in 1869.

This edition includes two rare introductions from the 1900 Pennypacker edition, unavailable in most modern printings: a Sketch of the Author, offering an intimate portrait of Elizabeth Prentiss herself, and The Story of the Book, written by her husband, recounting the personal circumstances and spiritual conviction that gave rise to this beloved novel. Together, they offer readers a window into the real woman behind Katherine’s voice — and a deeper appreciation for how closely life and art intertwined for Prentiss.

Whether you are encountering this treasured classic for the first time or returning to it as an old friend, Stepping Heavenward offers comfort, conviction, and encouragement for every season of faith. It remains one of the most cherished devotional novels ever written, a book that Christian women pass from mother to daughter, generation after generation. This carefully formatted edition preserves the beauty of Prentiss’s original text — enriched by rare historical context — for a new generation of readers seeking timeless wisdom and inspiration.