Church of Jesus Christ–Christian

The Church of Jesus Christ–Christian is an American white supremacist church, which was founded in 1946 by Ku Klux Klan organizer Wesley A. Swift. Swift was the son of a Methodist Episcopal Church, South minister and is considered a significant figure in the early years of the Christian Identity movement in the United States.^[1]

History

The church was originally known as the White Identity Church of Jesus Christ–Christian, assuming its present name in 1957. After Wesley Swift's death in 1970, the ministry was continued by his wife Lorraine Swift.

In February 2001, the names "Church of Jesus Christ–Christian" and "Aryan Nations" were transferred to Victoria and Jason Keenan when the Keenans won a US $6.3 million lawsuit against the organizations after being attacked by Aryan Nations paramilitary soldiers; the Aryan Nations compound was also transferred to the Keenans.^[2] In March 2001, the Keenans sold the compound to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Carr Foundation, a human rights organization which plans to build a human rights center on the property.^[3]

The church resurfaced in August 2009, five years after the death of Richard Butler, who resumed the ministry after the death of Swift. The church is now headed by a council of three men, including Senior Pastor Paul R. Mullet.

References

1. "Christian Identity". Anti-Defamation League. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
2. "Attorney Morris Dees pioneer in using 'damage litigation' to fight hate groups". CNN. 2000-09-08. Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
3. Wakin, Daniel J. (2004-09-09). "Richard G. Butler, 86, Dies; Founder of the Aryan Nations". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-30.

Further reading

• On the Edge: Political Cults Right and Left by Dennis Tourish, and Tim Wohlforth, 2000.