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Methodist circuits - thanks Brenda, Kathleen and B

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**chrispy**

**chrispy** Report 16 Jun 2005 20:04

Thanks Brenda Kathleen and esp Bill for detailed info Chris

Bill

Bill Report 16 Jun 2005 06:37

This is a general overview, but may be helpful as you explore the topic further. The Methodism movement grew out of a concept of public preaching... that is it was not church based as the 'Methodists' had no churches. Over time as small groups of Methodists formed local 'socities' (aka congregations), they would initially meet wherever they could. Over time congregations built their own meeting places, which were often called 'chapels' instead of 'churches'. As Methodism changed from being a 'movement' within the Anglican church, to a seperate demonination in it own right, groups of meeting congregations were organised into a 'circuit' which was assigned to a full-time preacher to visit on a regular basis to provide some consistency in teaching over the circuit, with local lay-preachers running worship services between visits of the circuit preacher. As to where the records of a circuit were kept for the period you were interested in, you'll need the advice of someone connected to the Methodist church in the area concerned. Cheers, Bill Sydney, Australia

Phoenix

Phoenix Report 15 Jun 2005 23:50

Richard Ratcliffe has written a couple of brilliant little books on Methodism which are published by the Federation of Family History Societies. Google Genfair for details. At the period in which you are interested, a friend's ancestor was prepared to walk twenty miles on a Sunday in search of a good sermon, only to discover that the chapel had closed some four years earlier!

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 15 Jun 2005 23:43

Have a look at this website, it may help:- http://www.gcah.org/Circuit_Riders.html Kath. x p.s. Sorry, don't bother, it's about America.

**chrispy**

**chrispy** Report 15 Jun 2005 23:12

Can anyone tell me how a Methodist circuit worked? I have been trying to track the birth/baptism of William Pearce c1831/2 to no avail. I understand he may have been a methodist. There were no methodist churches in his area . The nearest hint I got was 'New barnet circuit formed 1875 prior to that the area had been london Kentish town circuit.' Did a minister travel round the villages and baptise babies. How would this have been recorded? Maybe they were baptised at a later age. Maybe the parents walked to the nearest methodist church however far away it was . Does anyone know? CHris