Near Palmyra in Fluvanna County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The “Regular” Methodist Conference
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009
1. The “Regular” Methodist Conference Marker
This side faces Route 15
Inscription.
The “Regular” Methodist Conference. . Close by, May 18, 1779, “at Roger Thompson’s, near the Broken-Back Church,” began the “Regular” Methodist Conference composed of some of the most devoted and successful Methodist preachers, a large majority of the whole. Assent was given to the insistent demand for the holy sacraments from those through whom thousands had been converted. A presbytery was appointed, preachers were ordained. After one year, for the sake of peace, they were desisted and appealed to Wesley. Led by the Holy Spirit, he acted; and in 1784, “The Methodist Episcopal Church in America” began its world-wide work. , “What preachers do approve this step?” “Isham Tatum, Charles Hopkins, Nelson Reed, Reuben Ellis, Philip Gatch, Thomas Morris, James Morris, James Foster, John Major, Andrew Yeargin, Henry Willis, Francis Poythress, John Sagman, Leroy Cole, Carter Cole, Carter Cole, James O’Kelly, William Moore, Samuel Roe.”
Close by, May 18, 1779, “at Roger Thompson’s, near the Broken-Back Church,” began the “Regular” Methodist Conference composed of some of the most devoted and successful Methodist preachers, a large majority of the whole. Assent was given to the insistent demand for the holy sacraments from those through whom thousands had been converted. A presbytery was appointed, preachers were ordained. After one year, for the sake of peace, they were desisted and appealed to Wesley. Led by the Holy Spirit, he acted; and in 1784, “The Methodist Episcopal Church in America” began its world-wide work.
“What preachers do approve this step?” “Isham Tatum, Charles Hopkins, Nelson Reed, Reuben Ellis, Philip Gatch, Thomas Morris, James Morris, James Foster, John Major, Andrew Yeargin, Henry Willis, Francis Poythress, John Sagman, Leroy Cole, Carter Cole, Carter Cole, James O’Kelly, William Moore, Samuel Roe.”
Erected 1927 by the Charlottesville District, Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1819.
Location. 37° 53.442′ N, 78° 15.743′ W. Marker is near Palmyra, Virginia, in Fluvanna County. Marker is at the intersection of
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James Madison Highway (U.S. 15) and Friendship Road (County Route 644), on the right when traveling south on James Madison Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15690 James Madison Hwy, Palmyra VA 22963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . The Formation of Fluvana County. Article in the Bulletin of the Fluvanna County Historical Society, No. 22, April 1976. Page 21. “[During the Revolution] there were those who felt a need to change their church loyalties. Roger and George Thompson, justices, were Methodist leaders as well as vestrymen. They worshipped at Broken Back Church and were instrumental in building the second church. (Broken Back Church stood on George Thompson’s Broken Island Plantation.) Though still a movement within the Church of England, those who followed Wesley were sympathetic to the rebel
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009
2. The “Regular” Methodist Conference Marker
This side faces Friendship Road.
cause and soon took steps to separate themselves from the Church and form a new denomination. As the Revolution progressed, no more ministers came from England; many returned there, and the Anglican leader of the Methodists, an Englishman named Asbury, went ‘into hiding’ in New Jersey. Because there were so few Established Church ministers, and because the Methodist circuit-riding ministers were not allowed to give the sacraments, the Methodists decided to take drastic action. At the famous Broken Back Methodist Regular Conference held at Roger Thompson’s home in Fluvanna in 1779, the Methodist ministers formed a vestry and ordained themselves so they could administer the sacraments. This action led to the formation of the Methodists as a separate denomination.” (Submitted on March 10, 2009.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009
3. The “Regular” Methodist Conference Marker
View south. Route 15 on the left, Friendship Road on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,707 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
