15th May: Today in Christian History

 

16th May, 719

On this day in Christian History, Wynfrith, from Devon, England, was consecrated in Rome as Bishop Boniface. He carried the gospel across Germany and Prussia.

15th May, 1164

On this day in Christian History, Death of the abbess, Heloise, whose love affair with, and secret marriage to, the philosopher-theologian Abelard is known to history.

15th May, 1170

Death at Madrid of Isidore the Farmer, a Spanish farmworker considered by some a patron saint of rural and agricultural workers.

15th May, 1576

On this day in Christian History, Ecumenical Patriarch Jeremias II and his associates issue the Epicrisis on the Confession of Augsburg, an answer to the Lutheran confession, showing points of agreement and disagreement. They declare there are two sources of true faith: the Holy Bible and Sacred Tradition.

May 15, 1778

Death at St-Omer, France, of Alban Butler, author of a well-known five-volume Lives of the Saints.

15th May, 1879

On this day in Christian History, Death at Angaston of George Fife Angas, Baptist businessman and colonizer of Southern Australia.

15th May, 1891

On this day in Christian History, Pope Leo XIII issued the influential encyclical Rerum novarum, which grapples with social issues, saying the earth is given for the common good, that there needs to be more equality between capital and labour, and that the state has a central role in regulating justice in these matters.

15th May, 1937

On this day in Christian History, popular Hymnwriter, Ada Rundall Greenaway. died in Woking, England. Her best-known hymns are “For the Dear Ones Parted from Us,” “O Father, We Would Thank Thee,” “O Perfect God, Thy Love,” “O Word of Pity, for Our Pardon Pleading,” “Rise at the Cry of Battle,” and “Rise in the Strength of God.”

15th May 1955

On this day in Christian History, Obadiah Kariuki and Festo Olang' were consecrated as the first African assistant bishops in the Anglican diocese of Mombasa, covering East Africa. Kariuki was a bishop and spiritual leader in the Kenyan church after the nation’s independence, with his diocese growing so rapidly that it was be divided in two. Twenty-two years to the day after his consecration, thousands attended a thanksgiving service in his honour when he retired.

15th May, 1984

On this day in Christian History, Death in Rochester, Minnesota, of Francis Schaeffer, a Christian apologist. With his wife, Edith, he had operated L’Abri, a ministry to intellectuals. His most important book may have been his smallest, Escape from Reason, which caused many evangelicals to look at the development of literature and art. He had often argued that moral relativity is responsible for social ills.

15th May, 2026

• On this day in ChristianHistory, Evangelist Ayomide Adetoro officially quit his 9-5 job as an Art Director following instructions from God to do so for the sake of ministry. He fully resorted to remote jobs and roles to effectively balance ministry and personal life.
• On this day in Christian History, Bishop Dr. David Oyedepo, through the David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship, announced and commenced registrations for the 2026/2027 Scholarship. This scholarship programme covers full sponsorship into Covenant and Landmark Universities, both owned by the Living Faith Ministries.