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Church (Denomination which had)

a denomination which had its origin near the close of the 18th century in Virginia and North Carolina, when three bodies withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were first known as Republican Methodists, but in 1795 decided to be known only as The Christian Church. In 1819 the three bodies united to form one denomination.

It grew rapidly and perfected organizations for the carrying on of publishing, educational, and missionary work. These interests are now represented by the American Christian Convention, com- CHRISTIAN SCIENCE from the United States and Canada, and of the presidents of colleges and State and district organizations. The convention meets every four years. Missionary work is carried on in the United States, Canada, Japan, Porto Rico, and other countries. Educational institutions carried on by the denomination include the Christian Biblical Institute, Defiance, O.; Starkey Seminary, Lakemont, N. Y.; Union Christian College, Merom, Ind.; Elon College, Elon College, N. C.; Palmer College, Albany, Mo.; Defiance College, Defiance, O., and the Franklinton Christian College (colored), Franklinton, N. C. The denomination issues many publications. In 1919 there were 117,853 communicants, 1,274 ministers, and 1,213 churches.