Members of the church of Christ have often been labeled, “Campbellites.” However, they cannot be “Campbellites” because the church of Christ did not originate with Alexander Campbell. Aside from other reasons, consider a tombstone in the cemetery near the old log church building in Cane Ridge, Kentucky, with the following inscription:

“William Rogers born in Campbell County Virginia July 7, 1784 removed with his father to Cane Ridge, Bourbon County, April 1798. United with the church of Christ at Cane Ridge in 1807. Died February 15, 1862 in the 78th year of his age. He was the friend of God.”

Alexander Campbell did not come to this country as a Presbyterian until 1809. The old tombstone states that William Rogers was united with the church of Christ in 1807. Thus, Alexander Campbell did not begin the church of Christ. Members of the church of Christ are not “Campbellites,” but “Christians.”