The John Wroe collections contains the original published works of John Wroe (1782-1863) who founded the Christian Israelite movement in 1819. The collections contains all his published works (including his private communications give to full members) along with rules, regulations and memberships lists of early Christian Israelite members.

Scope and Content

Divine Communications, Volumes 1-3
Private Communications, Volumes 1-4, including 1861 version
Sermons
Rules and Regulations relating to the Christian Israelite Movement
Notices to members
Early registers of members (global), 1859 - 1868

Administrative / Biographical History

John Wroe (1782 – 1863) - Founder of the Christian Israelites.

John Wroe was born in Bradford, the son of a farmer and Collier. In 1819, at the age of 37, he began to receive visions. Following these visions, he joined a group of Southcottians who followed the writings of the prophet Joanna Southcott who died in December 1814. Upon her death, George Turner had taken over as the successor of Joanna Southcott. However, after Turner's death in 1821 Wroe believed himself to be the next rightful successor and his followers were named Christian Israelites. The headquarters of the society were initially set up in Gravesend, Kent, but soon moved to Ashton Under-Lyne in-Lancashire, where he remained until the early 1830's. After this period Wroe travelled widely in America and Australia. He died in Melbourne, Australia in 1863.
Wroe published several autobiographical volumes, from 1836 until his death in 1863.

The John Wroe collection was obtained by early members of the Panacea Society. When the Panacea Society was active, it collected a vast amount of material relating both to its own history and practices, as well as those of earlier groups they affiliated themselves to, the Christian Israelites being one of these movements.

Upon cessation of the Society as a religion organisation in 2012, the organisation became The Panacea Charitable Trust, who now hold the archive.

Access Information

Open. The majority of the archives have been digitised and freely available upon request. An appointment is required to visit the physical archive.

Alternative Form Available

Archive material is available at the Panacea Trust Archive Objects relating to John Wroe are on display at The Panacea Museum