List of Methodist churches

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This is a list of Methodist churches and campgrounds, either of notable congregations or of notable buildings or campgrounds or others places of worship. Since the founding of Methodism in the mid-18th century, the movement has spread throughout the world, and remains a presence in many countries today.

Many church buildings are notable for their historical or architectural significance. Many of the historic churches can be found in the United Kingdom and the United States, but some are also located in Canada, China, Korea and other in countries where there has been a Methodist presence. In some cases the congregation which established the church has since disbanded but the building remains. This list is intended to comprehensively index notable Methodist churches world-wide.

Canada

Two British Methodist Episcopal Church churches have been designated National Historic Sites of Canada due to their roles in welcoming Underground Railroad refugees to Canada and their historic importance to the Black community in the Niagara region:

Church Image Dates Location City or town Description
R. Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church 100px 1836 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Niagara Falls, Ontario Named in honour of Robert Nathaniel Dett[1][2]
Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church British Methodist Episcopal Church - Salem Chapel.jpg 1855 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. St. Catharines Linked to Harriet Tubman.[3][4][5]
British Methodist Episcopal Church, Windsor, Ontario 100px 1854 built, rebuilt 1856, rebuilt 1963
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Windsor, Ontario From 1856 to 1963 the BME church was an active church in its original location, 363 McDougall street.[6]

Singapore

Church Image Dates Location City or Town Description
Wesley Methodist Church 100px 5 Fort Canning RoadLua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Singapore Oldest Methodist church with an English-speaking congregation in Singapore

United Kingdom

The first Methodist churches were in Norwich (1757), in Rotherham (1761), in Whitby (1762), and in Heptonstall (1764).

About 700 Methodist chapels in the United Kingdom have been identified as significant buildings for their architecture or history by author Ian Serjeant, who has served as Conservation Officer for the Methodist church since 1996.[7]

A list of Methodist churches that are listed buildings was prepared by the U.K. Methodist church's division of property in 1976.[7] A standing committee of the Methodist Church of Britain is charged with having "knowledge of the history, development and use of Methodist chapels, of Methodist liturgy and worship, or archaeology, of the history and the development of architecture and the visual arts, and the experience of the care of historic buildings and their contents", and to advise on about 250 renovation projects per year to the Methodist listed buildings.[8]

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is said to have had a preference for octagonal buildings, as exemplified by the Heptonstall Methodist Church in West Yorkshire, England.[7]

Appropriate style for Methodist church buildings was debated during the mid-1800s. Architect-trained Reverend Frederick Jobson argued for "beauty and perfection in design and execution without unnecessary adornment"; the governing body of Methodism adopted his works and Gothic architecture "became the predominant style, particularly within Wesleyan Methodism."[7]

(by city or town)

Church Image Dates Location City or Town Description
St. John's Methodist Church 1772 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Arbroath Angus, Scotland A listed building in Category B that is identified by Serjeant as particularly notable. It was opened by John Wesley in 1772. Remodellings and other changes in 1882, 1896, and 1946.[7][9]
Altarnum Methodist Chapel Altarnun, Cornwall, The wesleyan Chapel - geograph.org.uk - 223519.jpg 1854 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Altarnun, Cornwall A typical building reflecting the values expressed by Jobson.[7]
Wesley's Chapel Wesley's Chapel 1.jpg 1777–78 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Islington, London Known as 'The Mother Church of World Methodism', having been built by John Wesley, and acting as his London base. The portico was added in 1814–15, and there have been other alterations and additions since. The building is listed at Grade I.[10][11]
Methodist Central Hall Westminster Methodist Central Hall.JPG 1905-11 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Westminster, London Built in order to commemorate the centenary of the death of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.
Heptonstall Methodist Church 100px 1764 built
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. West Yorkshire Octagonal chapel whose foundation stone was laid by John Wesley. Church was completed in 1764 in symmetric octagon shape, but was extended in 1802 to provide for more space. Wesley recommended the octagonal shape to differentiate from the established church.[12] The building was featured in a 2010 BBC Four series Churches: How to Read Them,[13] in which Dr Richard Taylor named it as one of his ten favourite churches, saying: "If buildings have an aura, this one radiated friendship."[14] See photo here [1].
Moor Park Methodist Church 100px 1861-62 built Preston, Lancashire, England Designed by Poulton and Woodman, opened 1862, seating for 900, closed 1984.
Preston Central Methodist Church 100px 1817 built Preston, Lancashire, England Active, Methodist church whose building was one of the first public buildings in the country to be lit by gas.
Surrey Chapel, Southwark The Ring (15326766471).jpg 1783 built
1881 demolished
London Independent Methodist and Congregational church, located at first in open fields, then enveloped by industrial development. Circular in plan with domed roof, its design was of interest.
Trinity Independent Chapel 100px 1841 built
1944 demolished
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. London
West Street Chapel London
West London Methodist Mission London
Bethesda Methodist Chapel 1819 built
1983 Grade II-listed
Stoke on Trent [15]
Brunswick Methodist Chapel 1820 built
1987 Grade II-listed
Newcastle upon Tyne [16]

United States

In the United States, numerous Methodist churches are listed on the National Register of Historic Places[17] and on state and local historic registers, many of which reflect the values of plainness, of Gothic architecture, of simple adornment. The Greek Revival style is also simple and came to be adopted for numerous American Methodist churches.

Several, selected significant Methodist churches in the U.S. are:

Church Image Dates Location City, State Description
Barratt's Chapel Old Barratt's Chapel (Methodist), Route 113, Frederica vicinity (Kent County, Delaware).jpg 1780 built
1972 NRHP-listed
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Frederica, Delaware "Cradle of Methodism", where Methodism first took hold in the United States in 1784
Lovely Lane United Methodist Church First Methodist Episcopal Church (Lovely Lane United Methodist Church).jpg 1884 built
1973 NRHP-listed[17]
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Baltimore, Maryland Romanesque Revival style, known as the Mother Church of American Methodism
St. George's United Methodist Church Philadelphia StGeorgesUMC from West.jpg 1767 built
1971 NRHP-listed
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Philadelphia The oldest Methodist church worship in continuous use in the United States.[18]
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church MotherBethelAMEChurchPhila1.jpg 1794 built
1972 NRHP-listed
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Philadelphia Romanesque style, The founding church of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.[19]

For a more complete list, see List of Methodist churches in the United States.

References

  1. R. Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church, Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada
  2. R. Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church, National Register of Historic Places
  3. Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church, Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada
  4. Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church, National Register of Historic Places
  5. See also Tubman Home for the Aged, Harriet Tubman Residence, Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church, Auburn, New York.
  6. British Methodist Episcopal Church, Windsor Mosaic
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  12. Heptonstall Trail, A Calder Civic Trust publication, 1996
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  15. event Archived December 10, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
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  18. St. George's United Methodist Church Archived January 31, 2013 at the Wayback Machine
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