16 Facts About George Rapp

John George Rapp was the founder of the religious sect called the Harmony Society and a number of associated communes.

George Rapp was a Pietist, and a number of his beliefs were shared by the Anabaptists, as well as groups such as the Shakers.

In 1791, George Rapp said, "I am a prophet and I am called to be one" in front of the civil affairs official in Maulbronn, Germany, who promptly had him imprisoned for two days and threatened with exile if he did not cease preaching.

George Rapp was summoned to Maulbronn for an interrogation and the government confiscated Separatist books.

When released in 1803, George Rapp told his followers to pool their assets and follow him on a journey for safety to the "land of Israel" in the United States, and soon over 800 people were living with him there.

In 1804, George Rapp was able to secure a large tract of land in Pennsylvania and started his first commune.

George Rapp lived out his remaining days in the town of Economy, Pennsylvania, until August 7,1847, when he died at the age of 89.

George Rapp was the second child and oldest son of the family.

George Rapp learned the art of wine making from his father, a farmer.

Reichert, who became known as Frederick George Rapp, was the business leader and public spokesman for the Harmony Society, drew up the town plan for its new village at New Harmony, Indiana, in 1814, and served as one of the delegates to the Indiana Territory's Constitutional Convention in 1816.

Frederick George Rapp helped choose the site for the permanent seat of government of Indiana in 1820 that was later named Indianapolis and held leadership roles in several Indiana banks.

George Rapp believed that the events and wars going on in the world at the time were a confirmation of his views regarding the imminent Second Coming of Christ, and he viewed Napoleon as the Antichrist.

George Rapp produced a book with his ideas and philosophy, Thoughts on the Destiny of Man, published in German in 1824 and in English a year later.

George Rapp was very influenced by the writings of Jakob Bohme, Philipp Jakob Spener, and Emanuel Swedenborg, among others.

George Rapp was called a tyrant and Society members his slaves.

George Rapp predicted that on September 15,1829, the three and one half years of the Sun Woman would end and Christ would begin his reign on earth.