Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian dies
Stuff
Hopeful Christian, founder of the Gloriavale commune and convicted sex offender, has died at the secluded community.
A family member told Stuff Christian, who was 92, died on Tuesday afternoon after a battle with cancer.
He founded the religious community in 1969 in North Canterbury. The group later moved to the West Coast in the early 1990s and has about 600 members.
The Gloriavale community was busy with many people walking around and children playing in the playground when Stuff visited on Tuesday evening.
Spokesman Fervent Stedfast said Hopeful Christian had dedicated 50 years of his life to the Gloriavale community and Jesus.
Further reading: Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian dies