Jehovah’s Witnesses FactSheet

Founder:: Charles Taze Russell; Born 1852 in Pittsburgh, PA
Founded:: Approximately 1876
Also known as:: Originally “International Bible Students Association”; Renamed “Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society” in 1884; Renamed “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society” in 1896; Renamed “People’s Pulpit Association” in 1909; Renamed “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society” in 1909; Renamed “International Bible Students Association” in 1914; Renamed “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931; Note: The name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was taken to avoid confusion between the Watchtower organization and others who claimed to be the true followers of Russell, calling themselves the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement and the The Dawn Bible Students.
Founding Occasion:: Russell began a Bible study in 1870 and was later voted “Pastor” by his students
Headquarters:: Brooklyn, New York
Membership:: ~ 8,600,000 in 2021
Current Leadership:: Milton G. Henschel
Parent Religion:: Christianity
Sacred Texts:: The Bible (New World Translation)
Official Website:: www.watchtower.org

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