church founders
Parish establishment pioneers
Church founders are the individuals who establish a church, whether a local congregation or an entire denomination.
The term may describe historical figures like John Wesley (Methodism) or contemporary pastors who start new congregations: The church founders held their first service in a rented storefront.
In some traditions, founders retain special authority or reverence.
- foundingCreating an organization originally
- founding fatherMale institutional originator
- evangelismPromoting beliefs to others
- Martin LutherProtestant Reformation founder
- Joseph SmithLDS church originator
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