The Methodists of America number seven million communicants. Barbara
Heck, Philip Embury and other Palatine immigrants were our contribution
to their incipient church life in America.


In the Nineteenth Century
1801-1838

The history of our churches in the nineteenth century may be divided
into three periods. The first extends from 1801 to 1838.

At the beginning of the century there were two congregations, the
German-English Church on Frankfort Street and the English (Zion) on
Pearl Street.

In 1802 two hundred members of the German church who had not united with
Zion in 1797 asked for a separate English church. The request was
declined, but regular services in English were held in the afternoon
with promises of a new church as soon as possible.

In 1804 Strebeck, the pastor of Zion, joined the Episcopalians and
subsequently became rector of St. Stephen's Church. Here he was
followed in the course of years by a constant procession of his former
parishioners. It will be recalled that Zion had not been received into
connection with the Ministerium.

In 1805 Ralph Williston was chosen pastor. In 1810 he also became an
Episcopalian. Not long after, the entire congregation followed him into
the Episcopal fold. The resolution effecting the change read as follows: