About the United Methodist Church
Begin with this brief introduction to a few of the personalities that have shaped the history of the Methodist movement, guaranteed not to overwhelm or intimidate. This collection of biographies includes those credited with founding and establishing the movement in England and the U.S.: John & Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, and Thomas Coke. It also highlights some figures who are often brushed aside or ignored, such as Harry Hosier, who in 1781 delivered the first recorded sermon by an African-American Methodist, and Richard Allen, who left the Methodist Episcopal Church because of racism and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816. Also included are Frances Willard and Anna Oliver, two 19th-century female church leaders and outspoken advocates for women's ordination. Follow up your preliminary study of personalities with a timeline that traces Methodist history in the U.S. Use these two resources as jumping-off points to identify some people or periods you may be interested in examining further.
This short history, from the Book of Discipline, makes a special effort to track the three traditions which merged in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church: the Methodist Episcopal Church under Asbury and Coke, the Church of the United Brethren founded by Philip Otterbein and Martin Boehm, and the Evangelical Association begun by Jacob Albright. It traces the debates and schisms over slavery, the tremendous growth in membership and influence of the Social Gospel after the Civil War, and movements toward unification during the 20th century. This is an excellent resource for understanding the complex series of splits and mergers which resulted in the United Methodist Church as we know it today. But if you find yourself interested in more detail, you may try consulting 200 Years of United Methodism: An Illustrated History.
From the beginning, hymn-singing was an important part of the Methodist tradition. No doubt this had something to do with Charles Wesley's penchant for writing hymns and poetry. The first Methodist hymnal included a set of directions for singing, penned by brother John (still found in our 1989 UM Hymnal, page vii). First among them was the instruction to "Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please." Numerical estimates of Charles' musical output vary, but his works are generally believed to be in the thousands, including some classic Christmas and Easter carols, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Visit this site for biographical information on Charles as well as lyrics and MIDI music for many of his best-known hymns, as well as a bibliography and a downloadable hymnal dating from 1889. Wesley's hymnody reflects important emphases of Methodist theology and experience, including the 'heart-warming' and 'perfecting' experiences of justification and sanctification. Start with the hymns and then, if you're feeling curious, check out some of Brother John's writings. Come explore our musicological and theological roots!
Even in the quote from the "Rules for Singing" above, one gets the sense of how John Wesley often comes across -- as a strict, even authoritarian figure. This on-line exhibition, from the Methodist Archives at the John Rylands University Library of Manchester briefly illustrates, through artifacts including paintings, letters, and other writings, a more human side of his life and ministry. Gasp at his near-death experiences both early and late in life - in danger first by fire and later by water. Wonder at how someone who insisted that pastors "employ all their time in the work of God" found time to write on topics such as the medical uses of electricity. Cheer his support for the calling of a female lay preacher, unheard of among Anglicans in 1771 (then read the first-hand account of a a female African-American lay preacher named Jarena Lee during the 1830's). You may begin to see Wesley in a different light!
When the Revolutionary War began, nationalist sentiment in the U.S. threatened both the Anglican Church and the Methodist movement operating within it. One of the major issues was John Wesley's staunch support of the crown during the conflict. As a result, between 1775-1783, American Methodism collapsed into an enterprise led by only a very few lay preachers, most notably Francis Asbury. After the war, Wesley sent Thomas Coke to find Asbury and formulate a plan to make the Methodists independent of both the newly organized Protestant Episcopal and AnglicanChurches. The two met at Barratt's Chapel in Delaware during November 1784. It was here that the first Methodist clergy were ordained and plans were made for the 1784 Christmas Conference, where the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. This site provides directions and open hours for visitors, and a brief history of the structure and the historic meeting. An interesting way to spend an afternoon if you're in the area. Even if you don't get to visit, please take note of the ways you can help preserve this important piece of U.S. Methodist heritage! For other important places in Methodist history, check out the list of landmarks published by the General Commission on Archives and History. One close to home is John Street UMC in Lower Manhattan, the first Methodist congregation established in the United States.
