New Church Day

New Church Day

June 19

New Church Day refers to the Church of the New Jerusalem, founded in London in the late 18th century by the disciples of Emanuel Swedenborg, the Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian. In 1817, the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the U.S.A. was founded in Philadelphia.
Swedenborg's followers believe that in 1757 there was a great judgment in the spiritual world, and that as a result the evil spirits were separated from the good and a new heaven was established. At that time Jesus called his apostles together and told them to preach the new doctrines in the new heaven, just as he had told them to do 16 centuries earlier on earth. All of this took place on June 19 and 20. June 19 is also the date on which Swedenborg's disciples met in 1770 to organize the Church of the New Jerusalem. Every year on this day members of the New Church, called Swedenborgians, meet to conduct important church business and to commemorate the church's founding.

CONTACTS:
New Church/General Church of the New Jerusalem
P.O. Box 743
Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
877-411-4673 or 215-914-4911
www.newchurch.org

SOURCES:
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 148
DictWrldRel-1989, p. 728
RelHolCal-2004, pp. 129, 130

Celebration day: Jun 19