The United Methodist Church has a rich heritage. United Methodism in the U.S. shares its history with the ancient Hebrew faith early Christian Church Anglican Church (English) Methodist Church (English) Evangelical and Moravian Churches (German) United Church of Canada other Methodists in the U.S.

People should know about United Methodist Church history because the story of United Methodism can make your religion more meaningful. Learning about the extraordinary men and women who guided the church's evolution can provide inspiration for everyone today.

The Methodist Church was started by an Englishman whose name was John Wesley. He was born in 1703 in Epworth, England, and had 18 brothers and sisters. His parents sent the boys to good schools. In 1714 he was sent to school in London. In 1720 he began study at Oxford. When John and Charles Wesley were in Oxford University, they started a "Holy Club." The members prayed, read the Bible and other books, shared in the Lord's Supper every week, and went to church regularly. Because they did all these things regularly, or according to a "method," they were called "Methodists" in fun. More and more people called them Methodists until everyone did. In 1726, Wesley was elected a fellow at Lincoln College and two years later was ordained a priest of the Church of England. John and his brother, Charles, finished from Christ Church (College) in Oxford University as ministers in the Church of England. They began preaching to the poor people who were not going to church. The people had hard jobs and not much food. John and Charles tried to get better food and medicine for them. They told the people, "God loves you. Jesus Christ is your Friend and Savior. Believe and trust in God no matter how hard life is."

Soon the Wesleys taught and preached to these poor people in small groups. These groups were called societies. These societies became Methodist Churches. To be a Methodist meant to love God, to read the Bible, to pray, to show love to all persons, and to try to do God's will at all times. There are now Methodist churches in almost every country in the world.

Methodism began as a renewal movement within the Church of England, not as a separate sect. John Wesley did not set out to form a new church. He always maintained that Methodists were part of the Anglican Church, and encouraged his followers to take part in Anglican services and sacraments whenever possible.

John Wesley was a Christian leader because his stress on faith and the authority of the Bible, as well as his work among the people of 18th-century England, helped to shape Christianity, in his time and in ours. Wesley was a linguist, logician, and author. He brought people together into groups dedicated to religious practice and social action. As a missionary, he personally brought an enthusiastic message of Christ's love to thousands of people.

Today we continue our devotion to creating disciples for Jesus Christ and making the good news available to anyone who desires to hear it. All preaching and teaching is grounded in Scripture, informed by Christian tradition, enlivened by personal experience, and tested by reason. Along with other Christian denominations, we believe in God -- expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The United Methodist Church is part of the church universal. All persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, are welcome to attend our churches, receive Holy Communion, and be baptized and admitted into membership.

Information is from the following resources:

The History of The United Methodist Church South Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1982 (1997 Edition)

About Being United Methodist Greenfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1975 (1977 Edition)

About John Wesley Greenfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1977 (1978 Edition)

The People of the United Methodist Church The United Methodist Publishing House, 2001.

Vernon, Walter N. ONE/TWO March 6, 1966.

Vernon, Walter N. ONE/TWO March 13, 1966.

For more information, see the following online resources:

History: Our Story

Religious Movements Homepage: United Methodist Church

United Methodist Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

200 Years of United Methodism: An Illustrated History, electronic edition