Today in Christian History

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Sept. 28, 1895   

At a convention in Atlanta, three Baptist groups merged to form the National Baptist Convention. It is today the largest African-American denomination in America and the world.

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Sept. 29, 1990   

In Washington, DC, the National Cathedral (officially, the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul) was completed after 83 years of construction. Begun in 1907, the Gothic edifice had been used in its incomplete form since 1912.

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Sept. 30, 1951   

Billy Graham's "Hour of Decision" first aired over ABC television. Broadcast on Sunday nights 10:00-10:30, the program aired through February 1954, before entering syndication.

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Oct. 1, 1946   

World Literature Crusade was founded in Saskatchewan, Canada, by Rev. Jack McAlister (president 1946-79). This mission is engaged primarily in Bible distribution, church planting and Bible correspondence courses.

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Oct. 2, 1970   

A two-day convention opened at which the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania-South Jersey was formed. It was comprised of 9,000 charter members from 52 Southern Baptist churches.

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Oct. 3, 1692   

In Massachusetts, Increase Mather published his "Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits," which effectively brought an end to the Salem Witch Trials which had begun earlier this year.

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Oct. 4, 1965   

Paul VI arrived in New York City, making him the first pope in history to visit the United States. While speaking at the UN, Paul published a document exonerating the Jews of all blame in the death of Christ.

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Oct. 5, 1989   

Ten months after being indicted by a federal grand jury, televangelist Jim Bakker, 50, was found guilty on 24 counts of mail and wire fraud. Three weeks later, on October 24th, Bakker was fined $500,000 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

[MaKettle]

Oct. 6, 1683   

A band of religious refugees from Krefield, Germany came ashore at Philadelphia -- the first Mennonites to arrive in North America. Their pastor, F. Daniel Pastorius, was considered by many the most learned man in America at the time.

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Oct. 7, 1832   

Birth of Charles Converse, American lawyer and sacred composer. Converse penned the hymn tune CONVERSE, to which we sing today "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

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Oct. 8, 1924   

In New York City, the National Lutheran Conference banned the playing of jazz music in the local churches.

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Oct. 9, 1747   

Colonial missionary to the New England Indians, David Brainerd died of tuberculosis (brought on by exposure) at age 29. Following his death, the publication of "Brainerd's Journal" by Jonathan Edwards influenced hundreds to become missionaries after him.

[MaKettle]

Oct. 11, 1914   

During World War I, the Cathedral of Notre Dame suffered minor damage during an air raid on Paris. (Notre Dame, the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, is distinguished for both its size and antiquity.)

[MaKettle]

Oct. 12, 1971   

The rock musical "Jesus Christ, Superstar" debuted on Broadway. (Twenty years later, the actor who played the part of Jesus, Jeff Fenholt became a born-again Christian.)

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Oct. 13, 1988   

The Bishop of Turin, Italy announced that the Shroud of Turin, long believed to be Christ's burial sheet, did not withstand scientific testing. It dated back only to 1280, and not to the time of Jesus' crucifixion (ca. AD 30-33).