Denominational Profile

History

split into Christian Churches and Churches of Christ

The Christian Churches and Churches of Christ is a decentralized movement derived from the Restoration Movement initiated in the United States during the first half of the 19th century by Barton Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell (former Presbyterians), and Walter Scott (a former Baptist). Until recent decades an integral part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), these congregations gradually separated as the Disciples of Christ became more centrally organized.

Membership Data

Year	Clergy	Churches	Members
1970	5,987	4,688	1,020,751
1972	7,314	5,901	1,036,288
1973	6,934	5,479	1,036,460
1974	6,272	5,436	1,034,047
1975	6,525	5,482	1,049,816
1976	-	5,436	1,040,856
1978	7,279	5,468	1,044,842
1979	7,689	5,535	1,054,266
1981	8,074	5,605	1,063,254
1983	-	5,502	1,043,642
1985	6,238	5,487	1,051,469
1986	5,476	5,566	1,063,469
1987	7,041	5,614	1,071,995
1988	6,596	5,579	1,071,616

Data were taken from the National Council of Churches' Historic Archive CD and recent editions of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Denomination descriptions provided by Dr. J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR). [More information on data sources]