An American sect, founded by William Miller at Dresden, New York, in 1831. Miller believed that the second coming of Christ was to be in 1843 and would be followed by the millennium. Individuals in the existing churches held these sentiments until 1845, when a separate Church was organized. There are now five bodies of Adventists, varying in minor details, but all believing in the imminence of the second coming of Christ, baptism by immersion, and in congregational government: Advent Christian Church; Churches of God in Christ Jesus; Church of God (Adventist); Life and Advent Union; and Seventh-day Adventists (q.v.). In 1926 there were in the United States: 1586 ministers; 2490 churches; and 142,649 members.