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The Church
....General History
The Christian Israelite
Church was established about the year 1822 by John
Wroe, a native of
Yorkshire. We believe God chose him to use as an "Instrument" through
which to shed further light on Scripture regarding His promises to Abraham,
and about the ultimate destiny of the descendants of the twelve tribes
of Israel, namely - Immortality in its broadest sense, and the establishment
of God's Kingdom on earth.
John Wroe travelled to many countries spreading his message. He was
well received and bodies of members were established in various
places. Many
groups of believers were established in Britain in towns such as Gravesend,
London, Lincoln, Sheffield, Bradford and Huddersfield with several
in Scotland, Ireland, Australia and United States.
Ashton-Under-Lyne in Lancashire has long been associated with the
Christian Israelite movement. Its involvement dates back to 1824
when John Wroe
first visited that town, and where later he preached to large congregations,
sometimes in the open.
Originally at Gravesend, the headquarters of the Christian Israelite
Church was later transferred to Ashton-Under-Lyne where the Church
printing press had a long association with the area. In 1924, with
the demand
for literature increasing, it was decided to build new premises
in Richmond Street, Ashton, equipped with modern machinery. An
American
member of
the Church with considerable printing experience was placed in
charge of the Press.
Meetings at Ashton-Under-Lyne were held in a building in Church
Street, but about 1875 due to some tenancy difficulty, services
were transferred
to a meeting room in Oldham Road where about that time some hundred
or more members attended in addition to the public on Sunday
afternoons and evenings. The main bodies of the Church at present
are situated
in
Australia, principally in Sydney, Melbourne, Singleton, and Terrigal.
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