Join Pastor Mark as he takes a close look at Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig, a contemporary of Martin Luther in the 16th century, and the church he founded, the Schwenkfelder Church. The Schwenckfelder Church is a small Christian denomination of about 2200 members centered in Lansdale, Worcester, and Palm, Pennsylvania. The church’s founder, Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig had a heated debate with Martin Luther in 1525 over the Lord’s Supper (Schwenckfeld von Ossig believed in neither Transubstantiation nor Consubstantiation), that led to the movement’s persecution by Lutherans and Roman Catholics alike for over 200 years. As a result, the Schwenckfelder movement emigrated to America in 1734 and celebrated one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in America. Both Rev. Dr. Drake Williams III and Mr. Drake Williams, Jr. are pastors and leaders of the largest Schwenckfelder congregation in Worcester, PA.
The Schwenckfelder Church with Rev. Dr. Drake Williams III and Mr. Drake Williams, Jr.