Timeline: Methodism in Black and White

Missionary Vivienne Gray served with her husband, Ulysses, in Liberia, 1948 to 1988. 

Photo courtesy of New World Outlook.

From John Wesley's baptism of two slaves in 1758 to African-American delegates at General Conference last year in Portland, race relations among the people called Methodist have yielded a rich history.

View some of the highlights on this timeline:

1758

John Wesley baptizes two “Negro slaves,” at least one woman, thus setting the pattern for receiving people of color into the societies and the church. These two return to Antigua to start the Methodist society in the “new world.”

1760s

Anne Schweitzer, a black woman, becomes a founding member of the first Methodist society in Maryland. Two years later, another black woman, known to us only as Bettye, is one of five persons to attend the Methodist services inaugurated by Philip Embury in New York City. When the John Street Church is built in 1768, the names of several black subscribers appear on its roster.

1784

The Christmas Conference in Baltimore founds the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among those riding out to issue the call for the conference is “Black Harry” Hosier. Born a slave about 1750, Hosier receives a license to preach in 1785 and becomes one of the best preachers and most effective early circuit riders.

Follow the rest of the timeline at this link.