author
Charles Fitch
1805–1844
A fiery New England preacher turned Millerite leader, he helped shape one of the most dramatic religious movements in 19th-century America. He is especially remembered for preaching reform, designing the famous “1843 Chart” with Apollos Hale, and urging listeners to prepare for Christ’s return.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Hampton, Connecticut, in 1805, Charles Fitch studied at Brown University and entered the ministry as a Congregational pastor. In the 1830s he was connected with the revival world around Charles G. Finney and supported causes such as temperance and abolition before becoming one of the best-known voices in the Millerite movement.
After accepting William Miller’s prophetic views in 1838, Fitch emerged as a powerful speaker and writer. He is widely remembered for collaborating with Apollos Hale on the influential “1843 Chart,” a visual guide to biblical prophecy, and for the sermon usually known as Come Out of Her, My People, which became closely associated with the movement’s call to separate from churches seen as resisting the advent message.
Fitch died on October 14, 1844, just days before the date many Millerites expected Christ’s return. Though his life was brief, his preaching and printed work left a lasting mark on early Adventist history and on the wider story of revival and reform in the United States.