This week in Christian history: Francis Asbury dies, Russian bishop consecrated, Sylvester II becomes pope
Francis Asbury dies – March 31, 1816
This week marks the anniversary of when renowned traveling Methodist preacher Francis Asbury died at the age of 70 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
Asbury had come to colonial America in 1771 as a 22-year-old preacher, being consecrated as the first bishop of the then newly launched Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784.
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A Methodist circuit rider who preached all over the United States, Asbury reportedly traveled around 300,000 miles, preached more than 16,000 sermons and ordained approximately 4,000 clergy during his ministry.
Asbury gave his final sermon at a church in Richmond, Virginia, a week before his death, with him being so weak from illness that he had to be carried from his bed to the pulpit.
“Asbury often had to stop and catch his breath during his hour-long sermon,” noted the Association of Religion Data Archives.
“A week later, his death became imminent at the Spotsylvania home of his old friend George Arnold. With loved ones surrounding him, Asbury lifted both hands to the sky and breathed his last breath.”
