June 26 in Christian History

Jun 26, 2012 08:35 AM EDT

1097 - The armies of the First Crusade (1096-99) occupied the ancient Byzantine city of Nicea.


1702 - Birth of Philip Doddridge, an English Nonconformist clergyman. Doddridge authored 370 hymn- texts, of which 'O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice' is still sung today.


1839 - Scottish clergyman and missionary Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'Joy is increased by spreading it to others.'


1892 - Birth of Pearl S. Buck, American Presbyterian missionary to China and author of the 1931 best-seller, 'The Good Earth.'


1955 - The first Southern Baptist congregation was formally organized in Las Vegas, with 33 charter members. It was the second Southern Baptist church established in Nevada.

© 1987-2012, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from

Almanac of the Christian Church