Core Christianity How Did Churches Start Using Grape Juice for Communion?
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Jan 7, 2026 Discover the fascinating shift from wine to grape juice in communion practices sparked by Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch's invention in the 1900s. Learn how the temperance movement and Prohibition contributed to this change, significantly shaping modern worship. The discussion also delves into the historical use of wine and its deep symbolism in Christian tradition, raising questions about its replacement. Are we losing the essence of joy and celebration in the process? Tune in for an insightful exploration of faith, culture, and tradition.
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Historic Use Of Wine In Communion
- Christians used fermented wine for communion until the 19th century and only fringe groups used water instead.
- Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch invented pasteurized unfermented grape juice and pushed its use in churches during the temperance era.
Welch's Grape Juice Origin Story
- Thomas Bramwell Welch, a Methodist turned dentist, created pasteurized grape juice while serving as communion steward.
- His son Charles marketed it and sales shot from 50,000 gallons in 1897 to a million by 1907.
Temperance Fueled Grape Juice Adoption
- The temperance and prohibition movements made alcohol a moral and social problem in 19th-century America.
- This cultural pressure created demand for a nonalcoholic communion substitute.
