Barton Stone
(1772-1844)
WHO HE WAS:
Barton Warren Stone was a pivotal figure in the early 19th-century Christian Restoration Movement, which aimed to restore the early Christian church's practices and foster unity among believers. An influential religious thinker and leader during the Second Great Awakening, Stone advocated for a return to the simplicity of the New Testament, rejecting denominational constraints and creeds.
WHAT HE SAID:
"Let Christian unity be our polar star."
WHY HE MATTERED:
Stone's leadership in the Cane Ridge Revival and subsequent establishment of the Christian Church laid a significant foundation for what would become the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. His emphasis on biblical authority and Christian freedom contributed profoundly to the shape of American Protestantism.