Johann Christoph Blumhardt

1805-1880. German evangelical leader. After theological studies at Tübingen he became a tutor in 1830 at the missionary training institution in Basle of which his uncle, Christian Gottlieb Blumhardt, was founder. In 1838 he was installed as pastor at Möttlingen, where a revival occurred which was accompanied by healings of bodily and mental diseases. The most notable exorcism was that of Gottliebin Dittus. So renowned did the Möttlingen revival become that on Good Friday 1845, no fewer than 176 communities were represented in the services. Blumhardt resigned from his pastorate in 1852 to purchase and operate a center for sufferers from all kinds of illnesses and ranks of society at Bad Boll. Gottliebin Dittus assisted in the work, as did Blumhardt's two sons, who joined him in 1869 and 1872 respectively.