John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and died in Zion, Illinois. He immigrated to Australia in 1860, studied theology in Scotland from 1868 to 1872, then returned to Australia, where he was ordained as a Congregational pastor. He married his cousin Jane Dowie (b. Dowie) in 1876. In the early 1880s he developed an interest in faith healing, and in 1883 he established the Free Christian Church of Melbourne. In 1888 Dowie immigrated to the United States and began a faith-healing ministry in San Francisco, California. During this period questions arose surrounding his financial practices, including mandatory tithing and security sales that supported his personal lifestyle. Amid rising scrutiny and legal challenges, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1890. Capitalizing on the large crowds attending the 1893 World's Fair, he staged elaborate faith-healing demonstrations that gained him an international following, although critics disputed the legitimacy of some of the reported cures. In Chicago he established the Zion Tabernacle, launched the Zion Publishing Company, founded the Christian Catholic Church in Zion, began a weekly newsletter, and established associated schools, homes, and charitable organizations.
In 1899 Dowie declared himself to be God's messenger in the form of the returned prophet Elijah, later claiming to be the precursor to the second coming of Jesus of Nazareth. In 1900 he purchased a large tract of land north of Chicago where he founded the city of Zion. He tightly governed his several thousand followers there, establishing bans on smoking, drinking, pork, and medicine. Dowie held title to the city's land, managed many of its businesses, and established a large tabernacle and several healing homes. He also operated the private Zion Bank, which later became the focus of allegations of financial mismanagement, diversion of funds, and issuance of problematic stock. After a series of financial crises and internal disputes, Dowie was removed from control of Zion's business and civic affairs in 1905. Despite his record of legal trouble and accusations of misconduct, Dowie's restorationist theology based on faith healing and apocalyptic messaging had a lasting influence on Pentecostalism and, due to his missionary efforts, the growth of Zionist Churches in South Africa.
See more letters.
John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and died in Zion, Illinois. He immigrated to Australia in 1860, studied theology in Scotland from 1868 to 1872, then returned to Australia, where he was ordained as a Congregational pastor. He married his cousin Jane Dowie (b. Dowie) in 1876. In the early 1880s he developed an interest in faith healing, and in 1883 he established the Free Christian Church of Melbourne. In 1888 Dowie immigrated to the United States and began a faith-healing ministry in San Francisco, California. During this period questions arose surrounding his financial practices, including mandatory tithing and security sales that supported his personal lifestyle. Amid rising scrutiny and legal challenges, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1890. Capitalizing on the large crowds attending the 1893 World's Fair, he staged elaborate faith-healing demonstrations that gained him an international following, although critics disputed the legitimacy of some of the reported cures. In Chicago he established the Zion Tabernacle, launched the Zion Publishing Company, founded the Christian Catholic Church in Zion, began a weekly newsletter, and established associated schools, homes, and charitable organizations.
In 1899 Dowie declared himself to be God's messenger in the form of the returned prophet Elijah, later claiming to be the precursor to the second coming of Jesus of Nazareth. In 1900 he purchased a large tract of land north of Chicago where he founded the city of Zion. He tightly governed his several thousand followers there, establishing bans on smoking, drinking, pork, and medicine. Dowie held title to the city's land, managed many of its businesses, and established a large tabernacle and several healing homes. He also operated the private Zion Bank, which later became the focus of allegations of financial mismanagement, diversion of funds, and issuance of problematic stock. After a series of financial crises and internal disputes, Dowie was removed from control of Zion's business and civic affairs in 1905. Despite his record of legal trouble and accusations of misconduct, Dowie's restorationist theology based on faith healing and apocalyptic messaging had a lasting influence on Pentecostalism and, due to his missionary efforts, the growth of Zionist Churches in South Africa.
See more letters.