The New Student's Reference Work/Campbell, Alexander

Campbell (kăm′bel), Alexander, an American theologian, was born at Shane's Castle, Ireland, in June, 1788. After attending Glasgow University, he came to the United States and served as pastor of a Presbyterian church in Washington County, Pa. Later he became a Baptist, and as early as 1810 he adopted the Bible as the sole recognized creed of his church. But it was not till 1827 that he founded the Disciples of Christ, a church that grew rapidly and now has a large membership in America and foreign countries. His followers are also known as Christians, Church of Christ and Campbellites. In 1841 Mr. Campbell founded and became the first president of Bethany College, at Bethany, W. Va., which has 280 students. Besides his work as pastor and teacher, he founded and edited the denominational organ of his church. He died March 4, 1866.