Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Great Britain)

The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was the first of the great Anglican humanitarian and missionary societies, founded by the Church of England at the end of the 17th century. It concentrated on Christian literature and education in the British Isles and overseas. The Society was extremely active in the first half of the 18th century.

From the description of S.P.C.K. early 18th century archives : part D, special subjects, 1705-1854 (inclusive) [microform]. (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702690375

The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge is the oldest Anglican missionary organization. It was formed on March 8, 1698, by Thomas Bray and a small group of his friends. The society's purpose remains to encourage Christian growth. In 1731, Samuel Urslperger of Augsburg, Germany, a pastor and member of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, aided the Salzburgers, a group of Protestants persecuted and exiled for their religious beliefs, by encouraging King George II of England to help in the Salzburger's emigration to America. The Salzburgers arrived first in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 7, 1734, then continued to Savannah, Georgia, where they were treated well by James Oglethorpe; they founded the town of Ebenezer in present-day Effingham County.

From the description of Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge letter books, account books, and manuscripts, 1732-1739. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 173482500