William Rayburn Collection

Title

William Rayburn Collection

Subject

Rayburn, William H., 1836-1930
Evangelists
Clergy

Description

William Rayburn was the founder of a religious sect that traces its beginnings to Williamsville, Illinois. Rayburn was a married minister in the Methodist Church in Williamsville in the 1860s when he abandoned his family and had an open relationship with another woman. After the Methodist Church deposed Rayburn, he began preaching his own doctrine and building a group of followers including Reverend C. A. Obenshain, the man the Methodist Church sent to Williamsville to speak against Rayburn. 

Rayburn and Obenshain established their sect's headquarters but were not accepted by the local residents. Raybern and Obenshain promoted their beliefs locally and nationally, receiving attention from the New York Times in 1883 for their ceremonies revolving around promiscuity.

In 1893 Rayburn built a large memorial to "Mattie S. Rayburn" in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, which has led to confusion over the identity of the woman buried there and whether she was his wife or his companion. Rayburn died in 1930 and is buried in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Photographs in this collection include several portraits of William H. Rayburn.

Collection Items

William Rayburn
William Rayburn wears a hat and coat while turning his back on the camera during a portrait session.

William Rayburn
William Rayburn sits for a portrait wearing a bow tie.

William Rayburn
William Rayburn poses for the camera during a portrait session.

William Rayburn
William Rayburn looks off to his left during a portrait sitting.

William Rayburn
William Rayburn poses for a portrait in profile.

William Rayburn
William Rayburn sits for a portrait.

William Rayburn
A portrait shows William Rayburn with a long beard.

William Rayburn with Unidentified Woman
William Rayburn consults with a female follower under a small striped tent.

Gravesite of William Rayburn
The gravesite of William Rayburn, "A Divine Messenger," is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

William H. Rayburn
William Rayburn poses for a portrait wearing a tuxedo.
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