Methodism Heritage

The first Methodist to visit town was John Nelson. He was a stonemason from Birstal, then a small community that lay between Leeds and Huddersfield. He was like a "wandering bird cast out of the nest", until he heard Wesley preach at Moorfields in London. In the words of Wesley himself, he experienced 'the change that God works in the heart through faith in Christ'. (Source: Wesley Veterans, quoted by A.S. Wood, The Burning Heart)

He then returned to Bristal, sharing the news with his friends and throughout the district. Next he begged Wesley to come north, to help him in his missionary task.

Wesley agreed and when he arrived in Darlington in 1742 he was astonished at Nelson's achievements.

"I came to Darlington and found some of the liveliest people in the north of England. I preached in the market place and all the congregation behaved well but a party of the Queen's Dragoons" ('Journal', John Wesley).

The whole town wore a new face. It would be wrong to assume that this was achieved without opposition, hardship and violence. More than once Nelson's home was attacked and wrecked. Once he was left on the ground unconscious, believed to be dead then arrested and forced into the army.

John Wesley's first visit to Newcastle was in May 1742 and soon new converts like Chris Hopper and Jacob Rowell followed. Eventually Barnard Castle became the centre of the Teesdale circuit of Methodist societies.

For further reading take a look at Harold E. Moore, 'Our Providential Way'