The Reverend George J. Adams founded the Church of the Messiah in Washington County in 1862. By the summer of 1866 he had more than 150 followers who traveled with him to start the Jaffa Colony in Palestine.

Upon their arrival, colonists discovered that Adams drank heavily and that his claims of rich lands and prosperity were untrue. Those who could afford passage left Palestine. Many of the others became ill and died because of the poor conditions.

Adams eventually disappeared as the colony disbanded.