A unique religious movement, re-establishing ancient Judaic teachings and traditions, emphasizing the observance of the Sabbath and the Ten Commandments.
The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite religious organization founded in 1896 by Prophet William Saunders Crowdy in Lawrence, Kansas. Crowdy, who was born into slavery and had worked as a cook on the Santa Fe Railroad, founded the church after experiencing a series of revelatory dreams starting in 1892, leading him to preach a unique blend of Christianity and Judaic practices. Crowdy, who described himself as “The World’s Evangelist,” emphasized a mission to preach to all races and nations.
The organization combines elements of both Christianity and Judaism in its beliefs, including observing the Sabbath from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, adhering to Biblical festivals, dietary laws, and the Ten Commandments. The Church also emphasizes repentance, baptism by water and spirit, and observes Passover as a commemoration of the deliverance from Egypt, following closely the instructions given in Exodus 12. Additional practices include the prohibition of wine, use of unleavened bread and water for communion, and the observance of foot-washing.
The Church experienced significant growth under Crowdy’s leadership and that of his successors such as Joseph Wesley Crowdy, William Henry Plummer, Howard Zebulun Plummer, Levi Solomon Plummer, and Calvin Samuel Skinner. By 1908, it had established numerous congregations across the United States and extended its mission abroad to places like South Africa and Jamaica. In 1921, the headquarters were moved to Belleville, Suffolk, Virginia, a location previously purchased by Crowdy in 1903. By 1936, the organization boasted over 200 tabernacles and 37,000 members. Today, the Church has a significant international presence with congregations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa.
Leadership has often stayed within Crowdy’s family or close associates, with notable leaders including Chief Rabbi Phillip Eugene McNeil, and recently Rabbi Jehu A. Crowdy, Jr., a great-grandson of William Saunders Crowdy, who led until his death in 2016. The headquarters in Suffolk, Virginia, features Temple Beth El, which serves as a central hub for the community, incorporating various residential and business properties.
The Church’s structure includes a Chief Rabbi as its leader and emphasizes a prophetic tradition with William Saunders Crowdy recognized as a modern-day prophet. The organization is deeply anchored in principles of love for God, respect for character, and a yearning for wisdom. It has over a century of land development dedicated to sheltering the underserved and emphasizes the faith of their forefathers as recorded in the Bible. Their global outreach includes humanitarian services and spiritual support, aiming to promote spiritual growth and holistic well-being through evangelism, social services, and educational initiatives.
image via Wikimedia Commons
