March 7: Today in Christian History

March 7, 1080

Pope Gregory VII bans Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV and all his adherents, deprives him of his kingdoms of Germany and Italy, forbids the faithful to obey him, and bestows the crown of Germany on Rudolf.

March 7, 1274

Death in the monastery of Fossanova of Thomas Aquinas, possibly the most famous Dominican theologian, author of the Summa Theologica and Summa contra Gentiles.

March 7, 1526

Zurich council decrees death by drowning to all Anabaptists.

March 7, 1557

Peter Richer and William Chartier, two ministers appointed by the City of Geneva to plant the Reformed faith in Brazil, arrive at Rio Janeiro. They will celebrate the first Reformed service in South America, but leave the continent before accomplishing a lasting work.

March 7, 1755

Death on the Isle of Man of Bishop Thomas Wilson, beloved for his purity of life, kindness to the poor, and tolerance toward sects such as the Quakers. He had rebuilt his diocese and established libraries that included works in the Manx language spoken there. His charitable efforts included improvement of farming, amelioration of harsh laws, and support of English missions.

March 7, 1799

Death in London of Thomas Olivers, an itinerant Methodist minister, editor, and hymnwriter. His best-known hymn was “The God of Abraham Praise.”

March 7, 1823

Death in Calcutta of William Ward, mission printer and co-worker of William Carey.

March 7, 1835

Trembling and homesick, young Fanny Crosby arrives at a blind school in New York. There she will receive the training that will enable her become an outstanding hymnwriter after her conversion.

March 7, 1955

The Reverend Carl McIntire begins broadcasting “The Twentieth Century Reformation Hour.”

March 7, 2007

Death of Zhao Maijia, who had suffered greatly in an effort to “bring the gospel back to Jerusalem” from China, working and preaching among Muslims on China’s western border and establishing the first church in the southern Xinjiang region.