Lauren Ducommun

What is a church history “spine book”? A spine book is a book that provides chronological structure and ties biographies, events, and other stories together.

As we learn about church history this month, I wanted to recommend some stand alone books that your family or church could use based on your kids’ ages. Where possible and applicable, I’ve shared links to where the books can be read online for free.

The Church History ABCs by Stephen J. Nichols

While not truly a spine in that it goes in chronological order, The Church History ABCs does contain 25 biographies of figures from church history in alphabetical order. On the back page there is a list of the people in chronological order.

There are not many church history books out there for this age range. So this is a fun way for littles, age 3 – 6, to learn about great figures in Christian History.

It is also available on Kindle for $2.99 here.

The Risen Hope Box Set by Luke H. Davis

The Risen Hope Box Set contains five books that cover the church throughout history. [Read my full review on this series in this blog post]. Starting with the church in ancient times all the way up to 2023! (The final volume in the series was released in early 2024).

These are great for kids 8 – 12 and up, and they are primarily biographies written in a narrative format. If you’re familiar with the Childhood of Famous Americans series, it reminds me of that — lot’s of dialogue.

Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hannula

This is a wonderful resource for all ages. While for ages 7 and up, I find Trial and Triumph best suited as a read aloud for 3rd grade and up. It covers several biographies from different eras in church history, from the Early Church to Reformation to Modern Missions, up to the year 2001. If you could only get one book, this is the one I would probably recommend.

You can create a free account and borrow Trial and Triumph through the online National Archives here.

Saints and Heroes by George Hodges

This church history book is available in two volumes: Saints and Heroes: To the End of the Middle Ages and Saints and Heroes: Since the Middle Ages.

Hodges shares biographies of key figures from church history in chronological order, and these stories are usually recommended for ages 11 and up. One publisher writes, “Hodges’ storytelling is so vivid and engaging, you’ll feel like you’re sharing a campfire with early Christian martyrs or walking though medieval monasteries with wise and kind reformers.”

• You can create a free account and download Saints and Heroes through the online National Archives for free here: Volume 1 & Volume 2.
• You can also listen to it for free from the Archives here: Volume 1 & Volume 2.
• Available on Kindle for only $1.99: Volume 1 here & Volume 2 here.

Note that there are two reprints on Amazon that are recommended: Living Book Press and Yesterday’s Classics.

Fire Upon the Earth: The Story of the Christian Church by Norman F. Langford

While I haven’t read this one yet, Fire Upon the Earth was once published by Sonlight Curriuclum and was commonly used in Sunday School curriculums for middle schoolers and high schoolers. It is currently out-of-print.

Fire Upon the Earth leads readers through four eras of church history, focusing less on biographies of individuals and more on the flow of events.

You can create a free account and borrow Fire Upon the Earth through the online National Archives here.

Feminine Threads: Women in the Tapestry of Christian Heroes by Diana Lynn Severance

While most of the spine above focus on men throughout church history, Feminine Threads highlights Christian women from the early church to modern times. This is one of my favorite church history books, and best suited for high school and up.

Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries by Gerald L. Sittser

When I took a church history class at Heritage College & Seminary, this was out main textbook that we read. Water from a Deep Well covers all eras of church history with the focus on “the rich history of spirituality, letting us gaze at the practices and stories of believers from the past who had the same thirst for God that we do today.”

Sittser provides an enjoyable and thought provoking read that both challenges and encourages. This book would be best for highschoolers and up. [Also note, that you may not agree entirely with the author.]

No Other Foundation: The Church Through Twenty Centuries by Jeremy C. Jackson

While No Other Foundation is out-of-print, it comes highly recommended by many church historians. Jackson consolidated the lectures on church history he gave at his church, and so the material is not meant for academia but for members of a church. (Which means this book was written for adults, not children). He thoroughly covers eras of church history, key figures, along with movements, events, and issues.

You can create a free account and borrow No Other Foundation through the online National Archives here.

More Free Online Resources:

I’ve yet to see these resources in person, but because they are free online, I wanted to share the links below. (Please note these volumes are no longer in print because the authors have since left the faith).

• Peril and Peace by Mindy Withrow can be borrowed through the Archives here.
• Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church by Mindy Withrow can be borrowed through the Archives here.
• Hearts and Hands: Chronicles of the Awakening Church by Mindy Withrow can by borrowed through the Archives here.