Week in History: First Methodist Preacher to Migrate to New York City

The Methodist preacher migrated to America in 1760

As part of moves to celebrate history in the Church and the society, this week in history talks about the emigration of the first Methodist preacher, Philip Embury to the United States. Embury moved to America in 1760 and settled in New York City where he began preaching in 1766.

Embury’s first sermon was delivered to a group of five persons whom he organized into a class in his own home. The gathering at a time constituted the first Methodist society in the city of New York.

Embury was a native of Ireland who was converted to Methodist Christianity following a deep experience at Christmas in 1752.