Church of God and Saints of Christ

The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite religious group established in Lawrence, Kansas, by William Saunders Crowdy in 1896. William Crowdy began congregations in several cities in the Midwestern and Eastern United States, and sent an emissary to organize locations in at least six African countries. The congregation later established locations in Cuba and the West Indies.

Bishop W. S. Crowdy said, “My teacher is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” He preached that Jesus is the Son of God. Presently different beliefs are practiced by other organizations who claim to be followers of Bishop William Crowdy. A main branch of the organization, headquarters in Belleville, VA, gravitated towards Judaism after the death of Bishop William Crowdy. On the other hand, another main branch, headquarters in Cleveland, OH, claims adherence to the founder's original teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Church of God and Saints of Christ, headquarters in Belleville, VA, describes itself as "the oldest African-American congregation in the United States that adheres to the tenets of Judaism." The congregation subscribes to the belief in one God, love for all mankind, and the Ten Commandments as the basis for ethical and moral living. It further teaches that, among the descendants of the biblical Israelites, there are peoples of African descent. The congregation believes "in the equality of all men, and the equality of the sexes. . Members believe that Jesus was neither God nor the son of God, but rather a strict adherent to Judaism and a prophet sent by God. They also consider William Saunders Crowdy to be a prophet.

The Church of God and Saints of Christ synthesizes rituals drawn from both the Old Testament and New Testament. Its observances based on the Old Testament include circumcision of newborn boys, use of the Hebrew calendar, the wearing of yarmulkes, observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, and celebration of Passover and other religious holy days specified by the Bible.

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