Church of God and Saints of Christ

The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite new religious group established in Lawrence, Kansas, in the United States, by William Saunders Crowdy in 1896.

[2] 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.

Described as keys, the religious beliefs are drawn from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament:[3] Crowdy believed and taught that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God and messiah.

The Church of God and Saints of Christ, headquartered in Belleville, describes itself as "the oldest African-American congregation in the United States that adheres to the tenets of Judaism.

Some of the movement's observances, such as circumscision; use of the Hebrew calendar; the wearing of kippot by men; Sabbatarianism, and celebration of Passover and other religious holy days, are loosely based on the Torah.

[2] The organization also manages businesses and residential properties at its headquarters in Suffolk, Virginia, including a hotel and two living communities for senior citizens.

A current local branch of the Church of God and Saints of Christ, in Washington, D.C. , known as "First Tabernacle." The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Soon after Crowdy's arrival to Washington, D.C., this building was purchased by the congregation in 1903.