Timeline

1775–1783 Context

American Revolution

Reform and rethinking of every aspect of social life.

1790s

Second Great Awakening

A wave of revivalism shapes frontier faith and community.

1801

Cane Ridge Revival

A landmark revival gathering that shaped Barton W. Stone’s unity convictions and frontier worship practices.

1804

Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery

Stone and colleagues dissolve their presbytery to pursue unity simply as Christians.

1809

Declaration & Address

Thomas Campbell issues a plea for visible unity grounded in Scripture, not human creeds.

1811

Brush Run Church

Alexander and Thomas Campbell and neighbors form a congregation shaped by weekly communion and believer’s baptism.

1812

On January 1, 1812, the Brush Run Church ordained Alexander Campbell to the Christian ministry in a ceremony that broke with traditional Presbyterian practice. The congregation itself, not a presbytery or bishop, conferred ordination—asserting the autonomy and authority of the local church. Thomas Campbell, Alexander's father and himself an ordained Presbyterian minister, participated in the service, symbolically affirming the shift from denominational hierarchy to congregational self-governance.

1832

Stone–Campbell Merger

In January 1832, leaders from Barton W. Stone's 'Christians' and Alexander Campbell's 'Disciples' met in Lexington, Kentucky, to formally recognize their fellowship and unite their movements. The historic handshake between Stone and John 'Raccoon' Smith before thousands of witnesses symbolized the possibility of Christian union grounded in Scripture alone, without creedal conformity—embodying the movement's central plea for visible unity.

1861–1865 Context

Timeline

American Revolution

Second Great Awakening

Cane Ridge Revival

Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery

Declaration & Address

Brush Run Church

Alexander Campbell Ordination

Stone–Campbell Merger

American Civil War

U.S. Census Listing

Global Growth