Church of God and Saints of Christ

Have you ever heard of a church born from a dream on a train? Right here, at the Church of God and Saints of Christ, that’s exactly how the story begins. In 1892, William Saunders Crowdy, a former slave working as a cook on the Santa Fe Railroad, received a divine call through a series of dreams. These dreams led him to leave his home and preach in Lawrence, Kansas. It was during one of these dreams that the name “Church of God and Saints of Christ” was revealed. Crowdy, known as the “World’s Evangelist,” officially established the Church of God and Saints of Christ in 1896. The church quickly grew, attracting members of diverse backgrounds across the United States. Crowdy’s message resonated deeply, expanding the church’s reach to South Africa and later the Caribbean, starting with Jamaica. The Church of God and Saints of Christ even reached Canada and England. In 1902, this very church achieved a significant milestone. It was officially documented as the 667th religious organization in the United States, registered in the Library of Congress. This solidified its place in American religious history. Tragedy struck the Church of God and Saints of Christ in 1908 with the passing of Prophet Crowdy. His death left a void and uncertainty about the future. However, the church persevered, guided by the belief that it was built upon a solid foundation, impervious to the “gates of hell.” Crowdy rests in Woodlawn Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey. His legacy continues to inspire the Church of God and Saints of Christ to this day.