A small American Restorationist denomination with unique beliefs and practices, distinct from mainstream Christianity.
The Megiddo Mission, also known as the Megiddo Church, is an American Restorationist denomination that has been based in Rochester, New York since its establishment in 1880 by Lemuel T. Nichols. Born on October 1, 1844, in Goshen, Indiana, Nichols founded the church following a profound spiritual awakening, crafting a doctrine that sharply deviates from mainstream Christianity.
Nichols’s teachings emphasize a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible, rejecting esju tablished Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and the immortality of the soul. Instead, he taught that Jesus was the son of God but not divine, and that the Holy Spirit was a manifestation of divine power, not a personal entity. Central to the church’s beliefs is the anticipation of Christ’s imminent return, the resurrection of the dead, and an impending day of judgment, pivotal events that they believe will fulfill biblical prophecy.
The Megiddo Church diverges from conventional Christian practices; it eschews rites like water baptism and instead observes an annual communion during the Passover. Nichols’s birthday is celebrated as a significant holiday within the church, highlighting the deep reverence the community holds for its founder.
The Megiddo Church publishes the “Megiddo Message,” a significant tool for communication and connection within its membership, which, though historically small, remains dedicated to the church’s mission. Modern activities, beliefs, and further information about the Megiddo Church are accessible through their official website, illustrating their continued emphasis on biblical study, spiritual service, and community harmony as the core tenets of their faith.
In its early years, the Megiddo Mission engaged in unique missionary work, notably traveling along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers aboard a steamboat named the Megiddo. Nichols and his followers held open services and performed missionary activities in various towns. The church funded its operations through crafts made by women and seasonal work undertaken by men.
Following Nichols’s death in 1912, leadership passed to Maud Hembree, a former Catholic convert, and subsequently to Ella Skeels, Nichols’s sister. Today, the church continues under the guidance of successors who maintain its foundational commitments to scripture and communal living.
image via Dig RoC Religions
