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John
Wesley born in England.
3000
Protestant German immigrants settle in Ireland.
They will become known as “The Irish Palatines.”
While
a student at Oxford University, Wesley becomes the leader of
a spiritual renewal group. The group’s methodical
approach to integrating Christian teachings into their daily
lives earns them the nickname “Methodists.”
On
May 24, Wesley attends a religious meeting on Aldersgate Street
in London during which he experiences assurance of God’s
saving grace noting, “I felt my heart strangely warmed.”
Methodism
gains momentum as a renewal movement within the Church of England.
Rev.
George Whitefield delivers the first sermon in NYC by a Methodist
preacher. His efforts are well received but do not result in
the establishment of any permanent congregations.
Wesley
converts Philip Embury, an Irish Palatine, living in Limerick
County, Ireland. Embury becomes a Methodist lay preacher
and class leader.
Embury,
his cousin Barbara Heck, and other passengers
on the ship Perry sail from Limerick to New York City.
On
October 12, at Heck’s insistence, Embury preaches to
five people in his home, the first meeting of our congregation.
On
October 30, Wesley Chapel on John Street is dedicated. Over
400 people attend the service.
Francis
Asbury, “the most important figure in early Methodism
in America,” preaches his first sermon at Wesley Chapel.
Methodists
in America formally separate from the Church of England, creating
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Wesley Chapel becomes
John Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
Peter
Williams, James Varick, and other black members of John Street
Church start their own congregation, an event recognized as
the birth of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
The
second building on our present location is built.
Our
current church is built.
Fanny
Crosby, one of Christianity’s most beloved writers of
hymns, begins a long association with our congregation.
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