some citations from the OED:

1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Orienting, In most religions, particular care has been taken to have their temples oriented.—St. Gregory Thaumaturgus is said to have made a mountain give way, because it prevented the orienting of a church he was building.

1842 Brande Dict. Sci. etc. 857/2 In surveying, to orient a plan signifies to mark its situation or bearing with respect to the four cardinal points.

1849 Ecclesiologist IX. 153 It was always thought preferable to orientate rightly where possible.

1866 Ecclesiologist XXVII. 158 Gaining the knowledge requisite for practical working... and orientating himself in general.