Christopher Fowler (minister) facts for kids

Christopher Fowler (born around 1610, died 1678) was an English minister. He lived during a time when England faced many changes in religion and government. He was later removed from his church job because of his strong beliefs.

A Young Scholar and Preacher

Christopher Fowler was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, around 1610. His father was John Fowler. He started studying at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1627. He earned his first degree in 1632 and a master's degree in 1634. He learned a lot about Reformed theology from his teacher, John Prideaux.

Fowler became a minister and was known as a Puritan preacher. Puritans were a group of Protestants who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more "pure." He preached in and around Oxford. Before 1641, he became the minister at West Woodhay, Berkshire.

Challenges and Changes

During the English Civil War, the town of Reading was taken over by Parliament's forces in 1643. The minister there, Thomas Bunbury, left. Christopher Fowler then took over his church, St. Mary's.

In 1643, Fowler agreed to the Solemn League and Covenant. This was an agreement to support the Presbyterian church system in England. Presbyterians believed that churches should be led by elders, not bishops.

Because of fighting near Donnington, Berkshire, Fowler felt unsafe and moved to London. His preaching became very popular there. He worked at Albourne, Sussex, and later at St Margaret's, Lothbury in London around 1652.

In 1649, Fowler refused to sign a new loyalty oath called the "Engagement." Even so, he later became a fellow (a senior member) at Eton College.

Helping to Reform the Church

In 1654, Fowler became an assistant to a group of officials in Berkshire. Their job was to remove ministers who were considered "scandalous" or unfit. Fowler was involved in removing a minister named John Pordage from his church in Bradfield, Berkshire. Fowler even wrote a book defending his actions in this case.

Later, Fowler also debated against the Quakers. Quakers were a new religious group at the time. In 1656, he and another minister, Simon Ford, wrote a book to answer the ideas of a Quaker named Thomas Speed. Fowler also argued with Edward Burrough, another Quaker leader, in 1659.

Later Life and Legacy

When the king returned to power in 1660 (this was called the English Restoration), Christopher Fowler lost his job at Eton College. In 1662, a new law called the Uniformity Act of 1662 was passed. This law required ministers to follow certain rules. Because Fowler could not agree to these rules, he was removed from his church in Reading. He became an "ejected minister."

After this, Fowler moved to London. He continued his ministry in private meetings, which were sometimes called "conventicles." He was known for trying to understand Bible prophecies and for studying timelines of history.

A warrant was issued for his arrest because he was preaching in private. Christopher Fowler died in January 1678 in Southwark, London. He was buried near St. John the Baptist church. His friend, William Cooper, gave the sermon at his funeral.

Writings

Christopher Fowler wrote several books and sermons during his life:

• Dæmonium Meridianum (1655): This book explained his side of the story about the removal of John Pordage.
• Dæmonium Meridianum. The Second Part (1656): This was another book continuing his arguments about the Pordage case. It also included sections about infant baptism.
• A Sober Answer to an angry Epistle… by Thomas Speed (1656): He wrote this with Simon Ford to respond to the Quaker leader Thomas Speed.
• A True Charge in Ten Particulars against the people called Quakers (1659): This writing criticized the Quakers.
• Sermon on John xix. 42 (1666): This sermon was mentioned by others, but it is not clear if it was widely published.

He also contributed sermons to collections like the 'Morning Exercise at Cripplegate' (1674–1676) and the 'Morning Exercise against Popery preached in Southwark' (1675).