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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