Methodism
The Methodist movement has its origins with an Anglican priest named John Wesley. Born in 1703 in England, he was one of nineteen children raised by deeply devout Anglican parents. His father being a minister, Wesley followed closely in his footsteps and was educated in London and then Oxford, where he left temporarily after being ordained a deacon and assisting his father within the Church of England. Upon returning to Oxford, Wesley and his brother Charles founded a group that gathered to dedicate themselves to regular Bible study, prayer, hymn singing and charitable work; they named the group the “Holy Club.” This group of “revivalists” were deemed the first appearance of Methodism, donning the name “methodists” because of their methodical religious practices including prayer, examining their spiritual lives, and bible study. .
After attempting missionary work in the colony of Georgia in 1735, the Wesley brothers returned home to England lacking faith in their religious beliefs. Reinvigorated by a Moravian service in 1738, and now joined by Calvinist Methodist George Whitefield, Methodism began a true revival period throughout England, preaching both in churches to religious devotees and in areas such as open fields or churchyards to more secular crowds. Tending to shy away from Anglican principles and doctrines, the true schism began in 1784 when Wesley himself anointed men like Francis Asbury to go to America and preach Methodist teachings during the period after the American Revolution. Over time Methodism transformed from a revival group within the Church of England to a completely separate religious entity, classified as a brand of Protestant Christianity. Within Wesley’s lifetime, having died in 1791, Methodism transformed from a small club at Oxford emphasizing religious tradition within the Anglican faith, to a completely separate religion with thousands of devoted followers.
Since its conception, Methodism has undergone numerous changes including schisms and formations of new denominations, combinations with other faiths, and diversity within the foundation itself. In 1787, notable African American Philadelphia citizens Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, both licensed Methodist preachers, staged a walk-out of St. George’s Methodist Church caused by repeated discrimination by church trustees. This later resulted in Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination and its first church, Mother Bethel. In 1844, due to opposing views on slavery, the Methodist Episcopal Church of the South was born and split with the original denomination. This would remain until May 10, 1939 when the two branches united and formed the official Methodist Church. On April 23, 1968, the Methodist Church combined faiths with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form what we now know as the United Methodist Church.
Principles of Methodism
Wesley emphasized four key points when establishing the Methodist doctrine:
A person is free not only to reject salvation but also to accept it by any act of free will.
All people who are obedient to the gospel according to the measure of knowledge given them will be saved.
The Holy Spirit assures a Christian of their salvation directly, through an inner “experience.” (assurance of salvation)
Christians in this life are capable of Christian perfection and are commanded by God to pursue it.
Wesley also developed three general rules guiding Methodist practices:
Do no harm by avoiding evil of every kind (drunkenness, slaveholding, profanity, theft)
Do good to all people
Attend upon all the ordinances of God (prayer, worship, Bible readings)
As Methodism became more prominent in areas of Europe and the United States, conflicts began to occur within the denomination stemming from disagreements over matters such as race, governance, and interpretation of the doctrine. Certain Methodists combined with other denominations such as Episcopalian, while others became designated for African Americans.
United Methodist Demographic Information (Pew Forum)
Listed below are some prominent examples of United Methodist Churches, three of which are located within Pennsylvania. Notice the differences in the demographic information between Philadelphia County and Wayne Country and the correlating differences seen in the churches themselves.
Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church
235 N. 4th St,
Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Website: https://www.historicstgeorges.org/
Founded in 1767: Thomas Webb, founder of the Methodist Society in Philadelphia purchased a former Dutch Reformed Church in 1769 that would become St. George’s United Methodist Church.
December 1769: Missionary Joseph Pilmore (dispatched by John Wesley himself) holds the first Methodist prayer meeting within St. George’s.
1771: Francis Asbury, prominent Methodist preacher, gives first sermon in America at St. George’s.
1784: Amidst the aftermath of the American Revolution, Methodism combined denominations and became the Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones become the first African Americans licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal denomination; licensed by St. George’s.
1787: Richard Allen and Absalom Jones joined by many other African American patrons of St. George’s stage a walkout in response to increasing discrimination within the church. This would lead to a schism and creation of the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in America, Mother Bethel in Philadelphia.
Over the years since its founding, St. George’s remains in service today and emphasizes a message of love and inclusion, attempting to reconcile with the past concerning discrimination against African Americans. On October 25, 2009, patrons of both Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and St. George’s gathered together for Sunday worship for the first time since 1787.
Extends its service and welcome to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Methodists from all over come and visit (field trip, pilgrimage)
Wayne United Methodist Church
210 S. Wayne Ave,
Wayne PA, 19087-4072
Website: http://wayneumc.org/
Founded in 1890, Wayne UMC has represented the message of Methodism that stems from growth through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Resembling the community outreach of the “Holy Club” at Oxford founded by the Wesley brothers, Wayne UMC extends out to the community in various ways and shares their message in everything they do.
Utilizes the Methodist tradition of music heavily in services and extracurricular activities.
Thrive on the Methodist idea of achieving “Christian perfection” through intense devotion and service within the church and community
The 2019 SUSI Scholars attended a Sunday morning church service. The service was followed by a conversation with Rev. Tom Ebersole.
Arch Street United Methodist Church
55 N. Broad St,
Philadelphia, PA, 19107-2531
Website: http://archstreetumc.org/
Established in 1862, the church is renowned for its construction in Gothic-style architecture, making it stand out from other Methodist churches in Philadelphia.
The congregation stresses acceptance and inclusion of all, regardless of differences in race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Many programs run by the church advocate for social justice, equality, and stay very involved in current events that may affect members of their congregation.
Member of the Reconciling Ministry Network, openly proclaiming to the public acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Park Avenue United Methodist Church
3400 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Website: http://parkavechurch.org/
Founded in 1893, the church would begin construction for its permanent location in 1911, where it can be found today.
Believing its diversity and accepting all walks of life, Park Avenue UMC has thrived on keeping God’s message alive through the years since its inception.
Stressing lay leadership, the church as an extremely active volunteer program that operates ministries within the church.
Vision Statement: “We will be a vibrantly Christ-centered, multiracial, multi-ethnic, intergenerational instrument of transformation, actively engaged with our urban neighborhood and our world.”
Churches continue to play vital role in Twin Cities response efforts
Painting for George Floyd Dedicated at Park Avenue United Methodist Church
Readings/Resources
“Crisis in the United Methodist Church,” Impolite Conversations Podcast Episode #46: http://impconvo.blubrry.com/impolite-conversation-46/
Website of the United Methodist Church: http://www.umc.org/
Dreff, Ashley Boggan. Entangled: A History of American Methodism, Politics, and Sexuality. New Random Books, 2018.
Gilbert, Kathy L. “United Methodists preach, protest, and decry racism.” United Methodist News. June 1, 2020.
Richey, Russell E., Kenneth E. Rowe, and Jean Miller Schmidt American Methodism: A Compact History. Abingdon Press, 2012
Methodist Walking Tour of Old City Philadelphia - Forthcoming
