June 13 in Christian History

Jun 13, 2011 01:51 PM EDT

1525 - German Reformer Martin Luther, 42, married former nun Katherine von Bora, 26. Their 21-year marriage bore six children. Kate outlived her husband (who died in 1546) by six years.


1742 - English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in his journal: 'Oh, let none think his labor is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear.'


1816 - Birth of Edward F. Rimbault, the English church organist who composed the hymn tune to which is sung 'O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice.'


1876 - The Presbyterian Church in England merged with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, in creating a more uniform representation of the Reformed faith in the British Isles.


1897 - Birth of Reuben Larson, missionary pioneer who in 1931 (along with Clarence W. Jones) co-founded the World Radio Missionary Fellowship. Since 1969, WRMF has been headquartered in Opa Locka, Florida.


© 1987-2011, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from

Almanac of the Christian Church