This week in Christian history: Methodist to America; Scottish Confession, British missionary

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

First Methodist preacher settles in America - August 11, 1760

A portrait of Philip Embury (1728-1775), an eighteenth century preacher from Ireland who helped found Methodism in America.
A portrait of Philip Embury (1728-1775), an eighteenth century preacher from Ireland who helped found Methodism in America. | Screengrab/

This week marks the anniversary of when Philip Embury moved to New York City, becoming what is widely believed to be the first Methodist preacher to settle in America.

A native of Ireland, Embury converted to Methodist Christianity following a deep religious experience on Christmas 1752. Years later, he helped found the first Methodist society in New York City.

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“His first sermon was delivered to a company of five persons, whom he organized into a class in his own home,” noted Britannica.

“After two years his audience had grown sufficiently to justify the building of Wesley Chapel (the first John Street Church), and in October of 1768 Embury preached the dedicatory sermon.”

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