THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
Edmund Creffield

Little is known about Edmund Creffield’s early years--like Jesus Christ’s. It’s not known when he was born--probably sometime around 1873. Or where he was born--probably somewhere in Germany. Or to whom he was born--possibly to a well-off family. Or what his education was--possibly some studies for the priesthood. Or when he immigrated to America--probably around his twentieth birthday. Or why he immigrated--possibly to avoid military service.

When he gathered with his followers on Smith Island in 1903, Creffield was probably in his thirties--about the same age Jesus Christ was when He began to gather his followers.

“Our religion means the restoration of all things,” he said on Smith Island. “The restoration of the world will soon come. The seals mentioned in Revelation will soon be broken and curses and plagues will visit the earth. The world will be destroyed by fire and there will be a new world in which nothing but peace will reign. There will be no sin. It will be the same as in the Garden of Eden. Everything will be the same as at the beginning of the world.”

As if that weren’t news enough, Creffield also announced on the island, “I am now Joshua, the Holy Prophet, and at some future time will become Elijah, the Restorer.” His work, he said was “to lead the twelve tribes of Israel back to Jerusalem, where the restoration of all things will take place, and the millennium will dawn on earth.”

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Photos on the right are stills from How the Fire Fell, Edward P. Davee’s movie based on the Holy Rollers.

Most were taken by Destiny Lane.
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Joe Haege as Edmund Creffield

Joe Haege as Edmund Creffield

Joe Haege as Edmund Creffield

Joe Haege & Brighid Thomas as
Edmund Creffield & Esther Mitchell

Brighid Thomas & Joe Haege as Esther Mitchell & Edmund Creffield

Joe Haege as Edmund Creffield

Joe Haege as Edmund Creffield