Cthulhu is a fictional cosmic entity first introduced by American author H. P. Lovecraft in the short story “The Call of Cthulhu,” published in1928. The character is classified as a Great Old One and is central to the Lovecraftian cosmic horror tradition known as the Cthulhu Mythos.
Lovecraft described Cthulhu as a massive, green entity with an octopus-like head, a scaly, humanoid body, prominent claws, and narrow wings. Cthulhu exists in a state of death-like sleep beneath the ocean in the submerged city of R’lyeh, located in the South Pacific. While dormant, the entity is said to exert a subconscious influence on humanity, contributing to anxiety and madness.
The First United Church of Cthulhu, a legally recognized nonprofit religious organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, says its belief system was inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos. Founder and head priest Khurt Khave presents the organization as a modern extension of the Mythos. Members refer to Lovecraft as the “Mad Prophet” and to each other as the “Children of Oblivion.”
The First United Church of Cthulhu produces a range of written and media materials that function as both religious and entertainment content. Its foundational text, Astronomicon minorem, was published in 2015 and outlines its occult principles and practices. Subsequent publications expand on these ideas, often using question-and-answer formats to explain the group’s beliefs to prospective members.
Much of the church’s output resembles fan-created material and content associated with tabletop gaming culture, reflecting an intersection of role-playing game traditions and religious expression. The church owns an acre of property in Arizona that is used for private events and is not generally open to the public.
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