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John Street United Methodist Church

Wesley Chapel Museum

New York City, New York

Place of Worship

Description

The John Street Church welcomed Peter Williams and other African worshipers, but blacks and whites were segregated. In the early 1800s, a group separated to form the first black church in the state. Today the John Street Church is still located at 44 John Street. It includes the Wesley Chapel Museum, which tells the story of the “The Oldest Methodist Congregation in America.” Georgian Architectural style.

Constructed, 1768

Philip Embury founded the Methodist Society in 1766. This is the third building on this site. The first building here was Wesley Chapel, in 1768.

Converted, 1784

This became the First Methodist Episcopal Church of New York in 1784 when the Methodist Episcopal Church as a denomination was formed at Christmas time in Baltimore.

Constructed, 1818

There was a second building which replaced Wesley Chapel in 1818

Constructed, 1841

Replaced by the present building in 1841.

Designations

New York City Landmark in Dec 21, 1965

National Register of Historic Places in June 4, 1973

#Place of Worship

#African American

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current Images

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The Methodists took an even more active role in social justice

Current Building erected in 1841

Loosely affiliated with the nearby Episcopal Trinity Church, a revolutionary stronghold,

One time, drunken military men — one dressed as a devil — disrupted a service.

After the Revolution, the church became an early advocate for the abolition movement.

Landmark of New York - John Street Methodist Church - Plaque erected 1964 by the New York Community Trust

current Drawings and documents

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Site plan

Basement Plan

First Floor Plan

Gallery Plan

Longitudinal Section

North Elevation

South Elevation

Section and Interior Details

Interior and Exterior Details

Auditorium Details

Methodist Church in John St. Erected in 1758

The First Methodist Church, in John Street, New York. Philip Embury, the first Methodist Preacher in America

Respectfully inscribed to the trustees & members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in John Street New York

The First Methodist Episcopal Church in America

1768 - Constructed

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1768 - Constructed - Images

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Barbara Heck insisted that Philip Embury preach to five people in their home on October 12, 1766.

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