Charles H. Spurgeon
1834: Charles Haddon Spurgeon born June 19 at Kelvedon, Essex (1st of 17 children).
1835: Taken to Stambourne to live with grandparents.
1841: Moves back home to Colchester.
1849: First book, the 295-page Popery Unmasked [Popery Unmasked] , wins prize in writing contest.
1850: Converted to Christ on January 6. Baptized at Isleham Ferry. Joins Baptist church in Cambridge.
1851: Preaches first sermon, at Taversham. Becomes pastor at Waterbeach Chapel in Cambridge.
1854: Begins pastoral ministry at New Park Street Church in London, at age 19. Congregation approximately 200 members.
1855: Publication of sermons begins. First service at Exeter Hall. Works with first ministerial student.
1856: Marries Susannah Thompson. Twin sons Charles and Thomas born. Seven killed in Surrey Gardens disaster; ministry almost ended.
1857: Pastors’ College founded.
1860: Preaches in Calvin’s gown and pulpit at Geneva.
1861: Preaches to largest indoor crowd: 23,654 at Crystal Palace, London. The Metropolitan Tabernacle, with seating for approximately 5,600, opens “debt-free” at cost of just over £31,000.
1864: Preaches controversial sermon on “Baptismal Regeneration” (350,000 copies sold).
1865: Begins publishing a monthly magazine, The Sword and the Trowel.
1866: Founds Metropolitan Tabernacle Colportage Association to distribute Christian literature.
1867: D. L. Moody attends services for first time. Ground breaking for Stockwell Orphanage (boys’ side).
1868: James Spurgeon, his brother, becomes associate pastor at Tabernacle. Wife Susannah becomes an invalid.
1874: Baptizes his twin sons.
1875: Mrs. Spurgeon’s Book Fund inaugurated to provide Christian books for pastors.
1879: Girls’ Orphanage founded.
1880: Moves to new home in Westwood.
1885: ...

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