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Francis Asbury

The Asbury Crossing: Responding to Call commemorates the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury's journey from England to America. Logo by United Methodist Communications.

On September 4, 1771, English lay-preacher Francis Asbury boarded a ship bound for America. He would arrive October 27. 

During the 7-week journey, Asbury asked himself, "Whither am I going? To the New World. What to do? ... I am going to live to God, and to bring others so to do."

During September and October 2021, The United Methodist Church is partnering with The Methodist Church in Britain to commemorate the 250th anniversary of this historic journey. 

 

Celebrations
September-October 2021 is the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury's journey from Bristol, England (l) to Philadelphia (r). Bristol photo by Joe Iovino, United Methodist Communications. Philadelphia photo via Wikimedia Commons.
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Our Roots

The Asbury Crossing: Events

The British Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church commemorate the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury's journey from Bristol to Philadelphia.

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View of the original glasses and powder horn carried by the Rev. Francis Asbury, a sampling of thousands of historic items housed at the General Commission on Archives and History at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Note that the quill and ink bottle are original examples used in the time of Asbury but not attributed to being his own items. Images courtesy of the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church. A UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry, November 2010.
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Inspiring Videos

Francis Asbury: A Flame Spirit

A brief documentary of the life of the first American Methodist Bishop who traveled to the American territories where he spent his life preaching.

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Asbury Crossing

Francis Asbury

  • View of the original glasses and powder horn carried by the Rev. Francis Asbury, a sampling of thousands of historic items housed at the General Commission on Archives and History at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Note that the quill and ink bottle are original examples used in the time of Asbury but not attributed to being his own items. Images courtesy of the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church. A UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry, November 2010.

    History

    10 interesting facts: Francis Asbury
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  • Portrait of Francis Asbury by John Paradise. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

    History

    To Be United Methodist: Who was Francis Asbury?
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