New Windsor in Carroll County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Birthplace of American Methodism
Robert Strawbridge 1781
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
1. Birthplace of American Methodism Marker
The Pioneer Preacher of American Methodism purchased from John England, Sr. this house and farm March 2, 1773. A part of England's Chance and Brother's Inheritance, on which he had lived for 13 years since his coming to American 1760. Here he formed
The First Class of Methodism
John Evans, his wife Eleanor Evans, his nephew Job Evans, and Mary Evans his wife, Nancy Murphy and Mrs. Hoy, Here Mr. Strawbridge formed the first society in Maryland and America. From Asbury's Journal, May 5, 1801.
The First Society of Methodism
John Evans, William Durbin, Andrew Poulson, John England, William Daman, Benjamin Marcarel, George Havener, Richard Smith, Thomas Leakin, James Crawford, Robert Walker, William Snader, Thomas Donaldson, Daniel Stephenson, Philip Nicodemus, Jacob Cassell, George Logman, with their wives an some children and later Samuel Merryman, John Todd, Alexander and Mrs. Warfield, Hezekiah Bonham, John and Paul Hagerty and George Saxton.
Erected 1924 by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1773.
Location. 39° 31.624′ N, 77° 5.302′ W. Marker is in New Windsor, Maryland, in Carroll County. It can be reached from Strawbridge Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2650 Strawbridge Lane, New Windsor MD 21776, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert Strawbridge House (a few steps from this marker); Summer Kitchen (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth Piper Strawbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Strawbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell from Brick Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Strawbridge Cluster (within shouting distance of this marker); John Evans House, 1764 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Strawbridge Shrine (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Windsor.
More about this marker. In 1844 a Baltimore Conference minister documented the location of the farm in Carroll County where Robert and Elizabeth Strawbridge and the couple's children made their home and livelihood. Following many decades of private visits to the site, in 1924 the
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
2. Birthplace of American Methodism Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . The Strawbridge Shrine. Lovely Lane Museum. Commission of Archives & History, United Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Washington Area. (Submitted on March 8, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
3. Evans House
This 1764 log house was moved to this location from the Yohn farm (on MD 407 near MD 27) in 1979. John Evans was the first Methodist convert in America. Strawbidge's first class was meeting here by 1768.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
4. Replica of the Log Meeting House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
5. Robert Strawbridge Monument
Sculptor Charles McCullough, former artist-in-residence at Wesley Theological Seminary, portrayed the pioneer evangelist standing with his left hand holding a Bible and his other hand pointing to Heaven. The memorial statue was dedicated in 2004 with church leaders including Bishop James K. Mathews officiating. — Strawbridge Shrine Pamphlet.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
6. Elizabeth Piper Strawbridge Monument
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
7. Elizabeth Piper Strawbridge
“Wife of Robert Stawbridge, Mother, Farmer, and Witness for Jesus Christ
Died c. 1791, Buried beside her husband in the Bishops Lot Mount Olivet Cemetery Baltimore
Born in Terryhuga, Ireland, Active in Wesleyan Movement. Immigrated with Her Husband, and settled on Sams Creek.”
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2008
8. Robert Strawbridge
1732—1781
1732—1781
“First Preacher of Wesleyan Methodism in America…Robert and Elizabeth Piper Strawbridge immigrated from Ireland to this area about 1760. His preaching soon led many to Christ. Her witness won the first convert John Evans.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,452 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
