The Christian Church denomination is often known by other names, such as the Disciples of Christ and the Church of Christ. After several naming changes in the 20th century, today various congregations are known as Christian Churches Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and Independent Churches of Christ.

The denomination was founded in the early 1800s by Barton W. Stone (formerly Presbyterian) and Rev. Thomas and his son Alexander Campbell (formerly Presbyterian and Baptist). It originates from a revival movement. Barton Stone held several revivals in Cane Ridge, Kentucky, from 1801–1804. The Rev. Thomas Campbell in western Pennsylvania and western Virginia withdrew from the Presbyterians, forming the independent Brush Run Church, affiliated with the Baptists, who then also expelled them. In the Ohio Valley, the two groups both wished to continue as Christians of the Reformed tradition, basing worship on the New Testament. On 31 December 1831 or 1 January 1832, in Lexington, Kentucky, the groups merged as the Christian Church or the Disciples of Christ. By 1849, national conventions were being held, a Missionary Society had been formed, and religious journals were published. But later differences arose, particularly on missionary societies and interpretation of the New Testament.

Because this denomination practices adult baptism by immersion, initially the most common records kept were only membership records. More recently, marriage and death records sometimes also are found.

Last Modified: 08-Oct-2024 20:03