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History

Ask The UMC: History of The United Methodist Church. Ask The UMC is a service of United Methodist Communications. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

The United Methodist Church was created over 50 years ago when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church united to form a new denomination. 

But the early beginnings of Methodism date back to 1736 when John and Charles Wesley came to the New World to spread the movement they began as students in England.

Learn more about the roots of our denomination and the developments that led to the church of today.

A portrait of John Wesley standing in a graveyard is on display at the Museum of Methodism located beneath Wesley's Chapel in London. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.
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Ask The UMC-FAQs

What would John Wesley think about the critical issues of our time?

The Rev. Glenn Wagner (Michigan Conference) ponders the advice Methodism's founder might offer about the serious challenges of our time - a deadly pandemic, racism, violence and profound division.

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A view of Kingswood School in England. Neil Phillips Photography, courtesy of Kingswood School.
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Ask The UMC-FAQs

What was the first school started by Methodists?

Methodists in Bristol, England started Kingswood School in 1748.

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Early Methodism

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