‘Our Struggle in London’: Primitive Methodists and the Metropolis

Abstract

Originating in north Staffordshire in 1807, Primitive Methodism became the largest offshoot of Wesleyan Methodism, with over 200,000 members in the UK by the end of the nineteenth century. The movement was drawn to London as members of the church migrated to the capital, and by its evangelistic mission to bring salvation to the whole nation. The history of the church in London exemplifies the way in which an organisation with roots outside London tried to come to terms with the capital’s economic and cultural dominance. From an initial burst of evangelistic enthusiasm, the growth of Primitive Methodism in London was characterised by the gradual development of new circuits, heavily dependent on immigration from elsewhere in England for their members. From 1880, an awareness of the scale of London and perceptions of the relationship between moral and social change led to increased efforts and new forms of mission to the inner city. The Primitives contributed to and learned from the efforts of other evangelicals, notably the Salvation Army, and from the Forward Movement of the Wesleyans. The mission persisted throughout the life of the church until Methodist union in 1932. Although individual members were influential in nonconformist and local politics, the attempt to establish a substantial membership in the capital failed.