Church of Satanic Brotherhood

views updated

Church of Satanic Brotherhood

The Church of Satanic Brotherhood grew out of the period of turmoil experienced by the Church of Satan in the early 1970s, during which time the majority of the church's local centers (termed grottos) revolted against the leadership of church founder Anton LaVey. In the Midwest, prominent grottos were functioning under the leadership of Wayne West in Detroit and John DeHaven in Dayton, Ohio. LaVey moved against the rebellious members in February 1973 by dissolving the Dayton grotto. The following month DeHaven led in the founding of the Church of Satanic Brotherhood.

The new church operated with a collective leadership of bishops. A periodical, the True Grimoire, was launched, and grottos soon appeared in Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville, New York City, and St. Petersburg. The church lasted only a short time. In 1974 John DeHaven announced his conversion to Christianity and publicly renounced Satanism.

About this article

Church of Satanic Brotherhood

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article