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Phillip Bliss and his wife were headed from their home in Rome, Pennsylvania, to Chicago to reunite with the evangelist D. L. Moody. On December 29th, 1876, their train, the Pacific Express was crossing a trestle bridge near Ashtabula, Ohio. The bridge collapsed, and the train cars fell into the ravine. In that day, each train car had a stove Read more...
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Listen to an audio narrative of the Ashtabula Train Disaster and learn more about Phillip Bliss in front of the hospital that was built as a result of the horrific disaster. Hymns by Philip Bliss found in Great Hymns of the Faith: #127 – Hallelujah, What a Savior! #197 – Hallelujah, ‘Tis Done! #203 – Whosoever Will #205 – Once Read more...
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Ballard Baptist Church, Seattle, WA We’re here in Seattle at Ballard Baptist Church, built in 1919, where Helen Lemmel was a member while she wrote Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus. She was born Mary Helen Howarth in the Manchester area of England, November 14, 1863, to a Methodist Minister. Her father took the family from England to Whitewater, Wisconsin Read more...
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Born in Kellyville, Texas, Stuart Hamblen made his way to Hollywood. A “singing cowboy” – he wrote the hit song “I won’t go hunting Jake (but I’ll go chasing women)” that placed #3 in the US for 1950. At Billy Graham’s 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, the “original juvenile delinquent” and alcoholic was converted, quit doing alcohol commercials, gambling, and horse Read more...
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Born in Kellyville, Texas, Stuart Hamblen made his way to Hollywood. A “singing cowboy” – he wrote the hit song “I won’t go hunting Jake (but I’ll go chasing women)” that placed #3 in the US for 1950. At Billy Graham’s 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, the “original juvenile delinquent” and alcoholic was converted, quit doing alcohol commercials, gambling, and horse Read more...
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J. Vernon McGee (1904–1988) was a widely respected pastor, theologian, and radio broadcaster whose voice reached millions through his long-running Bible teaching ministry. Known for his plainspoken style, firm doctrinal convictions, and deep commitment to Scripture, McGee became one of the most influential evangelical teachers of the twentieth century, particularly through his radio program Thru the Bible. Born in Hillsboro, Read more...
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Fairview stands as one of the most meaningful historic residences associated with William Jennings Bryan, a towering figure in American political and religious life at the turn of the twentieth century. Located in Lincoln, Fairview was not only Bryan’s home but also a center of public thought, hospitality, and influence during some of the most formative years of his career. Read more...
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James H. Brookes (1830–1897) was a prominent pastor, author, and conference leader whose influence helped shape evangelical thought in the United States during the late nineteenth century. Known for his careful study of Scripture, strong doctrinal convictions, and leadership in the emerging prophetic movement, Brookes played a significant role in both the pulpit and the broader religious life of his Read more...
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Frederick Muhlenberg, son of the “father of the Lutheran Church in North America,” Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, was the pastor of Christs Church, also known as the Old Swamp Church. On July 2nd, 1776, Muhlenberg left the city. Following the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, sources say the church burned, likely during the Great Fire of New York City. Read more...
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Frederick Muhlenberg House, located in the historic village of Trappe, preserves the memory of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, a figure whose life bridged both ministry and the early political development of the United States. The house, constructed in the mid-18th century, reflects the modest yet purposeful lifestyle of a colonial pastor and offers insight into the religious and civic life of Read more...
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Frederick Muhlenberg stands as one of the steady, formative figures of Lutheranism in early America. Though he later became widely known for his service in public life, his roots were firmly planted in the church. As a Lutheran pastor in colonial America, he carried forward the spiritual and cultural heritage brought from Germany while helping shape a distinctly American Lutheran Read more...
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Hymn History: Bringing in the Sheaves Author: Knowles Shaw “His nickname was ‘The Singing Evangelist.’” (Graham McKay) The Origin of the Hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves” Few hymns capture the spirit of Christian labor and joyful harvest quite like “Bringing in the Sheaves.” Its simple, earnest call to sow in faith and reap in joy has encouraged countless believers Read more...
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Lottie Moon’s Birthplace stands as an important historical site connected to the life and legacy of Lottie Moon, one of the most influential missionaries in Southern Baptist history. Located in rural Albemarle County near Scottsville, the property preserves the early environment that helped shape Moon’s character, convictions, and lifelong commitment to Christian service. Charlotte Digges “Lottie” Moon was born on Read more...
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The colony was in danger. As Robert Morgan said in 100 Bible Verses that Made America, After Hunt’s death, Jamestown again deteriorated into chaos, splintered by weak leadership and laziness. Many settlers refused manual labor. They had come to dig for gold, but had no intention of digging for crops. Captain John Smith responded: Countrymen, the long experience of our Read more...
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Who is John Harvard? “After God had carried us safely to New England, and we had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God’s worship, and settled the city government; one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate Read more...
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New England’s First Fruits is one of the earliest printed documents in colonial American history, offering a rare and valuable glimpse into the spiritual and educational priorities of early New England settlers. Published in 1643 in London, this modest pamphlet was primarily intended to inform supporters in England about the progress of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, particularly in the areas Read more...
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John Eliot stands as one of the most notable early figures in American missionary history, particularly for his efforts in educating Native American youth in the 17th century. Often called the “Apostle to the Indians,” Eliot combined religious conviction with a practical commitment to literacy and learning, believing that education was essential to both spiritual and societal transformation. Arriving in Read more...
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The mission of the Jonathan Edwards Center is to support inquiry into the life, writings, and legacy of Jonathan Edwards by providing resources that encourage critical appraisal of the historical importance and contemporary relevance of America’s premier theologian. The primary way that we do this is with the Works of Jonathan Edwards Online, a digital learning environment for research, education and Read more...
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First American theologian and philosopher. Born in 1703, son of Timothy Edwards. He graduated from Yale at age 17, was pastor in Bolton, tutor at Yale, missionary at Stockbridge, and in 1758 became pres. of Princeton University where he died. His grandson, Aaron Burr, became 3rd vice president of U. S. ♦ _____ ♦ The birthplace of Jonathan Edwards Read more...
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Join Randy as we go on location to Princeton Cemetery, just outside of Princeton University, to the grave of America’s founding pastors. We’ll see the tomb of Aaron Burr, the graves of Jonathan Edwards (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God), Samuel Davies (see Polegreen), and John Witherspoon. From Christian Hall of Fame: American theologian and philosopher, Jonathan Edwards, Read more...