William Saunders Crowdy
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William Saunders Crowdy (August 11, 1847 - August 4, 1908) was an American soldier, preacher, entrepreneur, theologian, and pastor. As one of the earliest Black Hebrew Israelites in the United States, he re-established the Church of God and Saints of Christ in 1896.
He joined the United States Army and served in the Civil War from 1863 to 1865. He was promoted to quartermaster sergeant in the Fifth Cavalry in 1867, receiving his discharge in 1872. He later became a cook on the Santa Fe railroad. While in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, September 13, 1892, he had a vision which he believed to be from God calling on him to lead his people to the true religion. However he resisted this, and it was only when he had another vision while chopping wood in 1895. Terrified by the vision, his hair turned white, and he was unrecognizable to his family. He started preaching in Guthrie, and then set up Tabernacles in Emporia and Lawrence in 1896. In these early days he was arrested 22 times. After setting up another Tabernacle in Topeka, he spread his creed in Sedalia, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; and several cities in New York, establishing an Elder-in-Charge in each city before moving to the next.
In 1899 he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania establishing his permanent residence and organizational headquarters there for four years. By 1901 his congregation had more than 1300 members and he had set up several enterprises: a general store, barber shop, restaurant, and print shop. However he ran foul of the authorities here too and was accused by them of anarchy and preaching false doctrine. At a mass meeting of other ministers held in February 1902, called for him to be stopped. He responded by saying:
- "The more they denounce me, the more the people pack my services. I came to this city less than a year ago from Texas and have taken in over 1300 converts. They are jealous of my success. I teach my people to love one another, keep the Ten Commandments, pay their honest debts, and abstain from alcohol and tobacco. If that's anarchy and false doctrine, I am willing to take a back seat. Mayor Ashbridge has seen my work and he finds no offense in me."
In 1903, he bought 40 acres of land in Suffolk, Virginia, calling it "Canaan Land." More land was subsequently purchased by Bishop William H. Plummer and this is now the international headquarters of the denomination. In 1905 he sent missionaries to South Africa and by 1906 he declared Chief Joseph W. Crowdy, Bishop William H. Plummer, and Elder Calvin S. Skinner as future leaders of his congregation.
William Crowdy died on August 4, 1908, in Newark, New Jersey and was buried in Belleville, Virginia.
Today the Church of God and Saints of Christ is the oldest living Hebrew Israelite congregation that started in the United States. The congregation, following the teachings of Prophet Crowdy, follows the tenets of the Biblical Jews and adheres to the Ten Commandments. The doctrine also includes observance of the Sabbath and the belief in the medium of prophecy. A key concept is the Exodus, the liberation of people in bondage. The most important festival is Passover, a week-long homecoming in Belleville with a ceremonial Seder.
