The United Methodist Church began as a reform movement within the Church of England - what we know as the Episcopal Church in the United States - in the late 1700s.  A group of clergy and laity, led by the Rev. John Wesley, felt that the Church of England had become too elitist and had forgotten the needs of the poor and the working class.  The Wesley's started a series of modest chapels and also conducted worship services in the open air in hopes of bringing the Word of God to the people.  They also expected those attending their services and joining their efforts to engage in hands-on mission works of love and charity in their villages and cities.

From these modest beginnings grew what is now a separate denomination with 8.7 million members in the United States, and 29 million members around the globe.  Within the U.S., the United Methodist Church provides thirteen theological seminaries for the training of laity and clergy for religious vocations; one medical school; 87 colleges and universities; 12 two-year colleges; and 9 college preparatory schools.  We also support 58 hospitals 1385 retirement and long-term care facilities, 60 children, youth and family services organizations, and 100 community centers; deploy missionaries in our country and abroad; and, through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, respond to natural and other disasters around the world.

United Methodists have traditionally affirmed these faith emphases:
1.  the availability of God's grace for all persons
2.  the essential unity between faith and works
3.  the seeking of holiness of heart and life both as individuals and in our society
4.  the ongoing creative activity of God, the living presence of Jesus Christ in our midst, and the inspirational power of the Holy Spirit to live boldly and yet gently as persons of faith within our community.