EDWIN SCHELL | By Edwin Schell As the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference prepares to meet this May in Baltimore for the first time since 1986, this history column will include highlights of Methodism since it began in this historic area. 1776 - First Methodist conference held in Baltimore admitted Freeborn Garrettson to ministry.
1777 - Conference at Watters Meetinghouse in Harford County admitted 14 preachers on trial.
1779 - Preachers impatient for sacraments, including Philip Gatch of Baltimore, ordained each other at Fluvanna Conference in Virginia, almost splitting the infant Methodist work. Rift was healed later as they agreed to postpone administering baptism and Communion.
1781 - Stewards who will raise and hold funds include Jesse Hollingsworth and Philip Rogers of Baltimore.
1783 - Preachers' wives are to share salary of $64 a year 'if they have need.'
1784 - John Wesley sends Coke, Whatcoat and Vesey to establish churches.
- Francis Asbury forces a call for a Christmas Conference and election by preachers if he is to superintend.
- Methodist Episcopal Church organized at Baltimore with 15,000 members, 80 preachers, 12 elders, Asbury and Coke as co-superintendents 'to reform the nation and spread scriptural holiness.'
- Missionaries are sent to Nova Scotia and Antiqua.
1785-86 - New churches erected in Baltimore are 'Old Otterbein' and Light Street.
1787 - Cokesbury College opens at Abingdon. The boys' school is the first Methodist College in the world.
The Rev. Edwin Schell is the executive director of the United Methodist Historical Society. |
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