History of the Christian Union

The Christian Union was organized at Deshler Hall, Columbus, Ohio February 3, 1864 bringing together ministers and people from congregations that had been torn by conflict over political issues surrounding the Civil War. Churches became places where politics was preached and argued and in some cases promoted physically. Rev.J.F. Given, a Methodist pastor, who was put out of his pulpit because he didn’t take a political stand (or at least the stand supported by the Methodist leadership. He found that there were people from various denominations who were dissatisfied with the situation and desired a peaceful worship experience.
Rev. Given began a newspaper called The Christian Witness “in the interest of pure eligion – Christianity free from all superstition, cant and sectarianism; of good Morals; of sound Education and Knowledge; of Genuine Benevolence; of the Great Principles of American Liberty; and, in short, of whatever may subserve a Noble Manhood, or contribute to Public Happiness and Prosperity.” Text