History

Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig: Christian History Timeline

Significant years and happenings in the life of Schwenckfeld and the Schwenckfelders

1489 Birth of Schwenckfeld in Ossig, Silesia

1500

1517 Luther’s Posting of the 95 Theses

1518 Schwenckfeld’s “Awakening”

1525 Schwenckfeld-Luther meeting

1527 Schleitheim Confession (First major Confession of the Anabaptists)

1529 Schwenckfeld’s Self-Exile

1530 Time in Strasbourg

•Augsburg Confession (First major Lutheran Statement of Faith)

1535 Colloquy with Butzer and others

1537 Conflict with preachers in Ulm

1540 Foundation of Jesuits under Ignatius Loyola

1541 Schwenckfeld writes his Great Confession

1546 Death of Martin Luther

1558 Queen Elizabeth I of England

1561 Schwenckfeld’s death; death of Menno Simons

1564 Death of John Calvin

1580s Activity of Martin John Jr. and Antonius Oelsner

1600

1610s Activity of Daniel Sudermann

1611 King James Version of Bible

1618 Beginning of Thirty Years War

1648 Treaty of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years War: only Lutheranism, Calvinism and Catholicism legally ac cepted as religions in Europe

1675 Philip Jacob Spener’s Pia Desideria initiates Pietism

1680s Activity of Martin John Jr.

1700

1719 Jesuit persecution against Schwenckfelders in Silesia begins

1721 Schwenckfelder representatives sent to Vienna to plea for relief

1726 Schwenckfelders flee Silesia to Saxony

1731 First migration

1733 Second migration

1734 Third and central migration

1735 Fourth migration

1736 Fifth migration

1737 Sixth migration

1765 Towamencin school house erected

1782 Aug.17 Constitution of the Schwenckfelder Society

1790 Hosensack meetinghouse erected for worship; one room for educational purposes—“the Hosensack Academy”

1791 Washington meetinghouse erected

1793 Towamencin meetinghouse erected

1800

1825 Kraussdale meetinghouse erected

1836 Worcester meetinghouse erected

1869 Hosensack meetinghouse erected

1884 Initiation of Board of Publication, Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum, Schwenckfelder Library

1891 Perkiomen Seminary under Schwenckfelder management

1895 Schwenckfelder Sunday School Mission begun in Philadelphia and Board of Missions organised

1898 Philadelphia Schwenckfelder Church begun

1900

1904 Norristown Schwenckfelder Church begun

1911 Palm Church dedicated (comprises the congregations of Hosensack, Kraussdale, Washington

1916 Lansdale Church dedicated

1921 Organisation of Society of Schwenckfeldian Exiles

Copyright © 1989 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Our Latest

Threatening Profound Evil Trivializes That Evil

Justin R. Hawkins

President Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth speak often of Christianity—but they seem to have no interest in its vision for just warfare.

The Iranian Church Persists

David Yeghnazar

Amid war, some Christians are evangelizing, preparing food for neighbors, and displaying other acts of generosity.

The Bulletin

Trump Threatens Iran, Artemis II Returns, and Anthropic’s AI Triggers Fear

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Trump kills conservatism, astronauts head home, and Claude Mythos Preview deemed too dangerous for public consumption.

Review

Are Christians Rude Dinner Guests?

Three books on politics and public life about the common good, ISIS brides, and Ronald Reagan.

News

The Mississippi Farmer Who Helped Resettle 150 Ukrainian Families

Hannah Herrera

As the US makes it more difficult for refugees to stay, Rodney Mast and his church community are rallying around their new friends.

Analysis

Two States Test a New Pro-Life Law

Pro-lifers have just won legislative victories to restrict abortion pills in South Dakota and Mississippi. But will the laws work?

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Dr. Bernice King: The Truth About Nonviolence

Calling the Church to lead with clarity anchored in love.

News

Nigeria Prosecutes Suspects of 2025 Christian Massacre

Emiene Erameh

Survivors hope for justice in the trial of nine men accused of the slaughter of about 150 Christians in Benue state.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube