OUR BEGINNINGS
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| Primitive Methodism began in England, in the
early 1800's, as an attempt to restore the Methodist Revival begun under the ministry of
John Wesley. |
| In America, Methodist preachers invented a new form of
Evangelism, the Camp Meeting. Such a preacher, Lorenzo Dow, visited England. He
told of many converts being won to the Lord in these outdoor meetings. He spoke of
John Wesley, and his Field preaching. Hugh Bourne and William Clowes listened. |
| On May 31, 1807, these two leaders called for and
aggressively promoted an American style Camp Meeting, an all day prayer, song, and
preaching event. Many people were converted to Christ at that meeting, now called:
Mow Cop. |
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At the left is an artist rendition of a rock outcropping of the remains of a castle that is located on the top of a hill that is known as Mow Cop.
The artist is Carol Kropp. Her husband is Rev. George Kropp and he is the pastor of the Laurel Run Primitive Methodist Church.
You may click on the following link to go to a web site with much information about the hill and castle known as
Mow Cop, as well as information pertaining to early Primitive
Methodism.
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| John Wesley won many to Christ preaching outdoors, but the
leaders of the Wesleyan church of that day found this innovation unbearable. They
firmly refused to allow any of the Mow Cop converts to join their churches. They
dismissed Hugh Bourne and William Clowes for their innovation without permission. |
| For two years, these enthusiastic converts waited in vain
for acceptance by the established Church. Finally, they decided to form their own
society. They named it The Society of Primitive Methodists because they
desired to return to the Roots of the Methodist movement. |
| In 1829, a group of missionaries arrived in America to
minister to English and Welsh Immigrants living in the industrial and mining areas.
Their ministries thrived and their Churches grew. On September 16, 1840, the
American Primitive Methodist Church was established. |
Click for more extensive historical
data.
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