Joseph Wesley Crowdy was born on November 8, 1875, in Westwood, Prince George’s County, Maryland. He was the fourth out of nine children, born to Caleb and Fannie A. Crowdy. Joseph W. Crowdy was the second cousin of Prophet William S. Crowdy.

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During one of William Crowdy’s visits to Maryland, he met his young second cousin, Joseph W. Crowdy, along with a few of his other relatives. This meeting happened prior to William Crowdy receiving the Revelation. After meeting his cousin on that occasion, William Crowdy returned to his home in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and went about his daily occupation and Masonic activities. In 1891, at the age of 16, Joseph W. Crowdy moved to Washington, D.C., with his brother, Horace Crowdy II, and two friends, to sing for a living. He aspired to become a great singer and later sang with a quartet in the Washington, D.C. area.

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In 1902, Bro. Joseph Crowdy was ordained an Elder by Bishop William Crowdy in Washington, D.C. Later that year, Elder Joseph Crowdy was assigned by Bishop Crowdy as the Assistant Pastor in Danville, Virginia. In addition, the leader appointed Elder Joseph Crowdy as the State Evangelist of Maryland. During the District Assembly held in Boston, Massachusetts, June 29, 1903, Bishop William S. Crowdy appointed State Evangelist Joseph Crowdy as an Evangelist-At-Large (EAL) and member of the eastern Presbytery Board. At the 1904 General Assembly held in Washington, D.C., Bishop William Crowdy appointed EAL Joseph Crowdy, as Chief of the Pulpits.

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After the death of Prophet William S. Crowdy on August 4, 1908, differences between the western and eastern Churches were apparent. This resulted in the west and east not being able to unify themselves and some of the eastern Churches not observing the Feast of the Lords Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread in 1909.

 

Later, at the 1909 District Assembly in Washington D.C., Evangelist Joseph W. Crowdy and Evangelist William H. Plummer were both ordained and consecrated to the office of Bishop. Both Bishops retained their organizational offices of Chief of the Pulpit and Grand Father Abraham, respectively. The Presbytery Board also solidified Chief Bishop Joseph Crowdy as the leader of the Church of God and Saints of Christ. According to Elder Calvin Skinner, it was crucial that the Church was headed by Bishops.

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With Chief Bishop Joseph W. Crowdy as leader, the Church expanded between 1909 and 1916 through the addition of new Tabernacles. He was ably assisted by Bishop Plummer whose administrative and preaching abilities were tremendous assets to the Chief. The two men worked harmoniously with each other as they furthered the work of Prophet William S. Crowdy.

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In December 1916, the Chief took ill, (this is said to be due to someone poisoning him. The alleged individuals were said to be Saints in the Church). From his sick bed, the Chief sent for Bishop William Plummer, who was pastoring in Boston, Massachusetts. Bishop William answered the call agreeing to take the Chief to Boston. Bishop William arrived in Philadelphia by train on December 11th and left the next morning with his leader for Boston in a taxi cab. Upon returning to Boston on Tuesday, December 12th, Bishop William welcomed his leader into his home. On the Sabbath of December 16,1916, Chief Bishop Crowdy preached his last sermon entitled, “My Witness is in Heaven, and My Record is on High.” His text was taken from Job 16:25. At the conclusion of his sermon, it's been said that Chief Bishop Joseph Crowdy stated, “My time is up!” Chief Bishop Crowdy then approached Bishop William H. Plummer, G.F.A., and said to him, (paraphrasing) “Prophet William S. Crowdy made you Grand Father Abraham over the Church. And he also put you in charge over all of his business. I will not be with you at the next Passover in the flesh, but I will be with you in the spirit at all of the Passovers. What little the Prophet has given me, I give it all to you. I do not want to be buried separately. Just as the Prophet set us up, I feel that we three should all go down together the same way.”

 

While these words were spoken, everyone in the congregation were on their feet and crying. Mixed emotions of sadness flooded the hall as their leader expressed he would soon pass away while also appointing his successor, Bishop William Henry Plummer.

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On January 1, 1917, Chief Joseph Wesley Crowdy fell asleep from Croupous Pneumonia, at the age of 41, at 15 Arnold Street, Boston, Massachusetts in the home of Bishop William H. Plummer.

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During his brief leadership of the Church of God and Saints of Christ, he took the time to study the book of Revelation. His many sermons and the songs he composed revealed his understanding of the life and revelation of John. Bishop Joseph's understanding and breakdowns throughout the years caused the Saints to refer to him as the reincarnate spirit of John, the Revelator.

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More history will be added about Chief Bishop Joseph Crowdy soon.