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Our Roots

Bishops from The Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church join hands as The United Methodist Church is formed. Photo courtesy of United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

On April 23, 1968, with the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church," a new denomination was born.

The United Methodist Church was created by the joining of The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and The Methodist Church, two major Christian traditions with distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.

Explore our history. Learn about our heritage. Find out about the people and issues that have shaped us.

The Rev. Andrea Beyer (left) and the Rev. Cathryn Love stand near a church sign in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Image courtesy of Great Plains Conference/creative commons.
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Who We Are

Do you know why we are called United Methodists?

The United Methodist Church was born in April. Learn more about how our denomination got its name and why it matters how you say it.

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An image of the Wesleys' "Holy Club" meeting at Oxford, based on a 19th century lithograph. Used with permission from the Methodist Collection of Drew University.
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Who We Are

Why the Wesleys, and others, came to be called Methodists

Early members of the movement had nicknames like Holy Club, Bible Moths, Sacramentarians, and Enthusiasts. Learn why one name stuck.

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Early Leaders

  • Statue of Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury stands on grounds of Drew University in New Jersey. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

    Who We Are

    Methodism's American Saint: Bishop Francis Asbury
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  • Otterbein is an important figure in United Methodist history. Otterbein image courtesy United Brethren Historical Center. Isaac Long's Barn, courtesy United Methodist Archives and History.

    Who We Are

    A Founding Brethren: Facts for United Methodists about Otterbein
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  • The Boehms were contemporaries of the early Methodist movement. Images courtesy United Methodist Archives and History.

    Who We Are

    Martin and Henry Boehm: Founding Brethren of the UMC
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  • The sanctuary of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church reminds us our founding. Image courtesy Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.

    Who We Are

    The roots of The United Methodist family tree: Digging deeper
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  • The Local Church Historian's School is offered by the General Commission on Archives and History to teach local congregations how to preserve their churches' stories.

    Who We Are

    Online local church historian school set for fall 2020
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  • Mission giving challenge map dated 1895 in the collection of the General Commission on Archives and History

    Who We Are

    Treasures in the United Methodist Archives: Missions Maps
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  • Archivist Brian Shelter shows a rare first edition King James "He" Bible in the Drew collection.

    Who We Are

    Treasures in the United Methodist Archives: The “He Bible”
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  • "Untergang der Titanic", as conceived by Willy Stöwer, 1912

    Who We Are

    Ties to the Titanic: Methodists aboard the famous ship
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Heritage Landmarks

Movement Continues

Circuit Riders

  • Being part of a Covenant Discipleship group can link you as PFFs - Prayer Friends Forever, as this group of girls calls themselves. Photo courtesy of Melanie Gordon, Discipleship Ministries.

    Ways We Grow

    The method of United Methodism today: Covenant Discipleship
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  • John Wesley expanded his work of gathering Methodists into societies and classes at the New Room in Bristol, England. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

    Who We Are

    The method of Methodism expands: Societies and the New Room
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