In 1932, Marguerite Beck Block published the first edition of The New Church in the New World: A Study of Swedenborgianism in America. A second edition was published in 1968, followed by a third edition in 1984 which included an introduction and epilogue by Rev. Dr. Robert H. Kirven. We are very pleased to announce that on December 27, 2024, the fourth edition will be officially released, marking forty years since its last edition.
This important book remains the most comprehensive history of the New Church movement in the United States. The new edition features a new introduction and epilogue by Rev. Chris Barber. Barber’s new epilogue continues the comprehensive history, adding sixty pages of thoroughly researched material that addresses the many developments of Swedenborgianism in America since the 1984 edition.
Block’s meticulous research and engaging narrative have made this work an enduring resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the rich tapestry of American religious history. Her exploration of how Emanuel Swedenborg’s teachings took root and flourished in the New World offers valuable insights into the development of spiritual movements in America.
The fourth edition preserves Block’s original text while providing contemporary context. Rev. Barber’s new introduction offers a fresh perspective on the book’s significance while his epilogue surveys the evolution of the New Church movement over the past four decades, including changes in organization, theology, and cultural impact.
This new edition is comprehensive in itself as the definitive resource reflecting the entire history of this title. We have preserved Block’s original notes and index but have been able to correct errata from previous editions. This edition retains the introduction and epilogue of the 1984 edition by Kirven, so you can read over a century of the New Church’s history in America in a single volume.
Whether you’re a long-time student of Swedenborgianism or new to the subject, this latest edition of New Church in the New World offers a compelling journey through a unique chapter of American spiritual history. It reminds us of the enduring influence of Swedenborg’s thought and the continuing relevance of the New Church movement in our diverse religious landscape.
We look forward to sharing this valuable work with a new generation of readers. Pre-orders for the fourth edition are available through our website and select booksellers.
