This week in Christian history: Henry VIII dissolves popular abbey; 'Apostle to the Indians' baptized
Frederik Franson dies – Aug. 2, 1908
This week marks the anniversary of when Swedish evangelist Frederik Franson, the first missionary sent out by the Chicago, Illinois-based Moody Church, died at age 56.
A native of Sweden whose family immigrated to the United States when he was a teenager, Franson became a devout Christian while battling a severe case of malaria.
Franson joined The Moody Church as an adult and became their first official missionary, preaching in several countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Franson also helped to found The Scandinavian Alliance Mission, an international evangelism group that later changed its name to The Evangelical Alliance Mission.
“No wife or earthly children followed him to his last resting place, but a host of spiritual children all over the world mourned the departure of their spiritual father, counselor, or director,” noted Moody Church Media in a 1952 article.
“A great host of them followed the body of The Moody Church’s first — and most unusual — missionary to its burial place in Mount Olive Cemetery, Chicago.”
