By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, October 19, 2025

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, numerous events of lasting significance have occurred.

Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths.

Some events, spanning over 2,000 years of history, might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many.

The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history, including a tragic stampede at a Charles Spurgeon event, the founding of Princeton University, and Pope Francis suspending the “bishop of bling.”

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By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, October 19, 2025

Crowd stampedes at Charles Spurgeon service, several die – Oct. 19, 1856

This week marks the anniversary of when crowd panic ensued while famed English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon was speaking at an event, resulting in seven deaths and several injuries.

A 22-year-old Spurgeon was preaching before a gathering of about 12,000 at the Royal Surrey Gardens in London, England, when an unknown individual shouted, "Fire! The galleries are giving way! The place is falling!"

The large crowd panicked, causing a balcony to collapse and dozens to be trampled. By the time things calmed down, seven people were dead and another 28 were seriously injured. 

According to The Spurgeon Center, the tragedy deeply impacted Spurgeon himself, as he experienced severe depression and nearly quit the ministry.

"I have gone to the very bottoms of the mountains, as some of you know, in a night that never can be erased from my memory," Spurgeon recounted, returning to the pulpit two weeks later. "But, as far as my witness goes, I can say that the Lord is able to save unto the uttermost and in the last extremity, and he has been a good God to me."

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/this-week-in-christian-history-tragedy-at-charles-spurgeon-event.html