Peter Cartwright

ONE OF THE GREATEST FRONTIER PREACHERS and Methodist circuit riders was Peter Cartwright (1785–1872). He grew up in the western wilderness, and became one of the most famous evangelists and planters of new churches in the West. As he traveled he usually conducted several worship services a day. He was known for his powerful, bold preaching (and his ability to deal with backwoods ruffians if the need arose). 

Cartwright baptized almost 10,000 converts, and preached almost 15,000 sermons. He left the circuit in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1824 because of his distaste for slavery, and transferred to Illinois. There he was elected to the legislature twice. He lost in a run for Congress in 1846 to Abraham Lincoln.

By the Editors

[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #23 in 1989]

Next articles

Charles Grandison Finney & the Second Phase of the Second Great Awakening

When Finney opened evangelistic meetings in October 1825, he was beginning seven years of the most intense evangelistic activity that the United States has seen.

the Editors

Asahel Nettleton

Nettleton was a successful evangelist, who saw as many as 30,000 conversions.

the Editors

In the Wake of the Second Great Awakening

The Gospel was meant by God to do more than just get people saved.

the Editors

In the Wake of the Third Great Awakening

The influence of the awakening was felt everywhere in the nation.

the Editors
Show more

Subscribe to magazine

Subscription to Christian History magazine is on a donation basis

Subscribe

Support us

Christian History Institute (CHI) is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation founded in 1982. Your donations support the continuation of this ministry

Donate

Subscribe to daily emails

Containing today’s events, devotional, quote and stories