Rev. Francis Bellamy Pens Pledge of Allegiance to America’s Flag, 1892

Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Little Falls, in upstate New York from 1879-1885.1 After graduating from the University of Rochester in 1876, Pastor Bellamy studied at Rochester Theological Seminary.2 He was ordained to the Gospel ministry and installed as pastor of this church in 1879. When Reverend Bellamy left Little Falls, he became pastor of the Dearborn Street Baptist Church of Boston. He subsequently became Advertising Editor of the weekly Youth’s Companion. In 1892, while serving as the chairman of the National Public School Celebration of Columbus Day, on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World, he penned the final draft of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. This beautiful Pledge was the result of many discussions between Reverend Bellamy and his superior, James B. Upham, and was designed to combat a growing movement aimed at destroying the national pride and patriotism of America’s youth. 3

To learn more, click here.
_______________________

Bibliography:

1

First Baptist Church of Little Falls, New York, Handbook. Sesquicentennial Services – 1879-1979. Rooted in the Past, Building in the Present, Reaching to the Future, p. 8.

2

Ibid.

3

Ibid.


Books and DVD
×