The 1800 Revival at Red River

James McGready
The 1800 Revival at Red River, also known as the Red River Revival, was a pivotal event in the history of American Christianity. It marked the beginning of a series of evangelical Christian meetings in Logan County, Kentucky, that ignited the Second Great Awakening, a period of significant religious fervour and social reform in the United States.
This revival, lasting approximately five to seven years1 represented a transition from traditional British Christian practices to new, innovative approaches that catered to the unique needs and culture of Americans, particularly those on the western frontier. Notably, the Red River Revival is considered to have directly influenced the Cane Ridge Revival, a landmark event of the Second Great Awakening.
State of Religion in the Red River Region Prior to the Revival
Before the revival, the religious landscape in the Red River region, an area nicknamed “Rogues Harbor” due to its population of outlaws and those seeking refuge2 was characterized by a general decline in religious interest3. Apathy and coldness had spread throughout congregations, with many people prioritizing westward expansion, economic recovery, and nation-building over spiritual matters4.
This decline in religious interest was further exacerbated by the social and political climate of the time, as the nation focused on establishing itself and expanding its territories4. Well-known deists like Ethan Allen and Thomas Paine further contributed to this decline by publicly criticizing Christianity and promoting rationalist philosophy4.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a period of decline in interest and division within congregations had occurred in the years leading up to the revival3. This period of spiritual struggle set the stage for the dramatic events that would unfold.
Interestingly, the Red River churchyard contains a tombstone with an inscription of the Twenty-third Psalm written in Gaelic, highlighting the diverse cultural background of the people in the region6. This diversity would play a role in the unique character of the revival.
Previous Revivals and Spiritual Awakenings
While the 1800 Revival at Red River was a significant turning point, it’s important to remember that it wasn’t the first instance of religious awakening in the region. Earlier revivals, dating back to the late 1700s, had laid the groundwork for the fervour and spiritual hunger that would characterize the 1800 event1. These previous awakenings demonstrate a recurring pattern of spiritual seeking and renewal in the Red River region, culminating in the transformative events of 1800.
The Revival Begins
The roots of the 1800 Revival can be traced back to meetings held in 1799, where signs of religious renewal began to emerge7. However, the revival truly ignited in June 1800 during a sacramental meeting at the Red River Meeting House, a small Presbyterian congregation led by Reverend James McGready. McGready, whose life had been threatened in North Carolina due to his fervent preaching, had arrived in Logan County in 1796 to lead the Red River, Gasper River, and Muddy River congregations6. He initiated a “concert of prayer,” encouraging his congregations to pray regularly for revival2.
This June 1800 meeting, initially intended as a traditional Scottish sacrament service, unexpectedly sparked the revival4. Approximately 400-500 people attended this meeting2 and they were deeply moved by the preaching and began camping on the meeting house grounds, leading to the first informal “camp meeting.” 5 These camp meetings, characterized by continuous religious services, fervent preaching, and emotional expressions of faith, became a hallmark of the Second Great Awakening4.
The 1800 Revival at Red River marked a significant shift in American Christian practice. It represented a departure from the more formal and restrained traditions inherited from British churches and embraced a new, more expressive and participatory form of worship. This shift towards heart-felt faith and personal experience would become a defining characteristic of the Second Great Awakening and shape the future of American Christianity.
Key Figures and Churches Involved
Reverend James McGready played a crucial role in the 1800 Revival4. He was known for his powerful preaching and his emphasis on personal conversion experiences8. Other Presbyterian ministers who participated in the revival included John Rankin, William Hodge, and William McGee9. John McGee, William’s brother and a Methodist preacher, also played a significant role9.
The revival quickly spread beyond McGready’s three congregations at Red River, Gasper River, and Muddy River2. It attracted the attention of prominent evangelical leaders from various denominations, including Barton Stone (Presbyterian turned Disciples of Christ leader), Francis Asbury and Peter Cartwright (Methodists), and leaders in the Shaker and Cumberland Presbyterian movements4.
Revival Experiences and Manifestations
The 1800 Revival was characterized by intense emotional experiences and unusual manifestations of the Holy Spirit7. Many attendees were overwhelmed with conviction, crying out for mercy and experiencing a profound sense of their sinfulness10. One account describes the scene: “A dreadful, striking solemnity overspread the whole assembly—the multitude were all in tears—awakened sinners were struck with such keen, piercing convictions, that many of them fell to the ground, and roared out in extreme anguish, “What shall I do to be saved?”
Some of God’s children were filled with a sense of the love and goodness of God in Christ to their souls, like bottles filled with new wine, till their bodily strength was almost gone. It was truly affecting to see little boys and girls, of nine, ten, and twelve years of age, and some younger, lying prostrate on the ground, weeping, praying and crying for mercy, like condemned criminals at the place of execution. 10
Others were filled with an overwhelming sense of God’s love and grace10. These experiences often manifested physically, with people falling to the ground, shouting, and experiencing what was described as being “slain in the spirit.” 6
A unique aspect of the revival was the role of children in exhorting others10. Their passionate pleas for repentance and faith were reportedly “so moving and powerfully carried along by the Holy Spirit, that they produced greater conviction power than all the preaching.” 10 This widespread participation, even among children, highlights the deeply felt and communal nature of the religious experience at Red River.
These emotional and physical manifestations were not merely incidental occurrences; they played a crucial role in the revival’s impact and the broader context of the Second Great Awakening6. They reflected a shift towards a more experiential and expressive form of Christianity, emphasizing the direct and powerful work of the Holy Spirit in individuals’ lives. This emphasis on emotionalism and personal experience would become a defining feature of the Second Great Awakening and have a lasting impact on American religious culture.
Impact and Legacy
The 1800 Revival had a profound impact on the religious and social landscape of the United States. It led to a massive increase in church membership and sparked a wave of religious enthusiasm that spread throughout the country7. The revival also contributed to several social reform movements, including the abolition of slavery and the promotion of education and social justice5.
The Red River Revival is considered the starting point of the Second Great Awakening, a period of widespread religious revival that shaped American society in the 19th century. It led to the rise of new religious movements, the founding of numerous colleges and seminaries, and a renewed emphasis on personal piety and social responsibility5.
Timeline of Major Events and Figures
Date | Event | Key Figure(s) |
1796 | James McGready arrives in Logan County, Kentucky, to lead the Red River, Gasper River, and Muddy River congregations. | James McGready |
June 1800 | The first sacramental meeting at Red River Meeting House sparks the revival. | James McGready, John Rankin, William Hodge, William McGee, John McGee |
July 1800 | The revival spreads to Gasper River with the first large-scale camp meeting. | James McGready |
1800-1801 | The revival expands throughout Kentucky and Tennessee, attracting prominent evangelical leaders. | Barton Stone, Francis Asbury, Peter Cartwright |
1800-1801 | The Cane Ridge meetings, culminating in the largest camp meeting of the Second Great Awakening in 1801, take place in Bourbon County, Kentucky. | Barton Stone |
Conclusion
The 1800 Revival at Red River was a watershed moment in American religious history. It marked the beginning of a period of intense religious fervour and social reform that transformed the nation. The revival’s emphasis on personal conversions, emotional expression, and social activism continues to influence American Christianity today.
The Red River Revival served as a catalyst for the Second Great Awakening, a movement that profoundly shaped American society and religious life. The revival’s emphasis on heart-felt faith, personal conversion, and the active presence of the Holy Spirit resonated with the changing social and cultural landscape of the time. It gave rise to new religious movements, fuelled social reform efforts, and contributed to a renewed sense of religious identity in the young nation. The legacy of the 1800 Revival at Red River continues to be felt in the vibrant and diverse expressions of American Christianity today.
Works cited
- It Happened 200 Years Ago:–The Great Revival – GospelTruth.net, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://www.gospeltruth.net/revival200yearsago.htm
- 1800 Red and Gasper Rivers Revival – Revival Library, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://revival-library.org/histories/1800-red-and-gasper-rivers-revival/
- The Great Revival of 1800 in Kentucky – Baptist History Homepage, accessed on December 14, 2024, http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/ky.baptists.masters.chp9.revival.html
- Revival of 1800 – Wikipedia, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revival_of_1800
- Second Great Awakening – Wikipedia, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening
- Red River Church and the Revival of 1800 – Baptist History Homepage, accessed on December 14, 2024, http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/spencer.jornl.red.rvr.rev.html
- Red River Meeting House: Birthplace of the 2nd Great Awakening – Jen Miskov, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://jenmiskov.com/blog/redriver
- James McGready – History of the Restoration Movement, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/kentucky/mcgready.htm
- Adairsville, Logan County, Kentucky – Red River Cumberland Presbyterian Church, accessed on December 14, 2024, http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc/churches/RedRivKY.htm
- 1800 Revival at Red River and Gasper River – BEAUTIFUL FEETBEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on December 14, 2024, https://romans1015.com/red-river/