Formation of the United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church was created on April 23, 1968, when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church united to form a new denomination.

But Methodism in the U.S. dates back to 1736 when John and Charles Wesley came to the New World to spread the movement they began as students in England. United Methodists share a historic connection to other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies.

In this section, you will find stories and useful links to help you learn more about the roots of our denomination and trace developments that led us to today.

The United Methodist Church has an agency dedicated to preserving the rich history of the denomination. Visit the Archives and History site.

United Methodist Church History Quiz

Photo illustration by Cindy Caldwell. Photo by Mike DuBose, United Methodist Communications.

The United Methodist Church has existed in various forms for more than 200 years. Test your knowledge of its history with these questions.

Pass on the URL to this quiz to encourage others to test their knowledge as well.

Click here to download, print and share a ten-question quiz about United Methodist Church history with your church, family and friends!

This quiz is a partnership between United Methodist Communications and the General Commission on Archives and History.