Free Methodist Church of North America

Free Methodist Church of North America

World Ministries Center
770 N. High School Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46214
United States

Attesting Officer
Mr. Ben Weesies
Yearbook Editor


Media Contact
Yearbook Ed.

39.7768925, -86.2727866


The Free Methodist Church was organized in 1860 in Western New York by ministers and laymen who had called the Methodist Episcopal Church to return to what they considered the original doctrines and lifestyle of Methodism. The issues included human freedom (anti-slavery), freedom and simplicity in worship, free seats so that the poor would not be discriminated against and freedom from secret oaths (societies) so the truth might be spoken freely at all times. The founders emphasized the teaching of the entire sanctification of life by means of grace through faith.
The denomination continues to be true to its founding principles. It communicates the gospel and its power to all people without discrimination through strong missionary, evangelistic and educational programs. Six colleges, a Bible college and numerous overseas schools train the youth of the church to serve in lay and ministerial roles.
Its members covenant to maintain simplicity in life, worship, daily devotion to Christ, responsible stewardship of time, talent and finance.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
1978
55,493
73,294
1,148
1977
52,563
69,134
1,036
1976
51,585
68,180
1,059
1975
50,632
67,043
1,058
1974
65,210
65,210
1,046
1973
65,179
65,179
1,059
1972
48,455
65,167
1,091
1971
65,040
65,040
1,264
1970
64,901
64,901
1,095
1969
0
64,394
1,106
1968
63,611
1,126
1967
0
62,090
1,124
1966
60,175
60,175
1,147
1965
59,415
1,162
1964
58,164
1,159
1963
56,826
1,158
1962
55,655
1,182
1961
55,520
1,156
1960
55,338
1,193
1959
55,568
1,203
1958
54,942
1,212
1957
54,673
1,222
1956
54,014
1,225
1955
51,437
1,215
1954
50,660
1,211
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
1977
0
1,593
1976
0
1,591
1975
0
1,580
1974
0
1,760
1973
0
1,744
1972
0
1,744
1971
0
1,749
1970
977
1,750
1969
1,035
1,771
1968
1,016
1,752
1967
1,066
1,738
1966
1,064
1,517
1965
1,150
1,550
1964
1,150
1,566
1963
1,150
1,538
1962
1,175
1,639
1961
1,150
1,584
1960
1,200
1,553
1959
1,200
1,533
1958
1,200
1,602
1957
1,200
1,619
1956
1,200
1,599
1955
1,066
1,986
1954
1,066
2,057
1953
1,250
1,991
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
1977
1,010
120,725
1976
1,026
120,265
1975
1,034
115,688
1974
1,021
114,007
1973
1,015
114,733
1972
1,023
116,976
1971
1,264
118,276
1970
1,085
124,246
1969
1,096
127,813
1968
1,105
132,350
1967
1,109
149,725
1966
1,146
137,355
1965
1,145
16,661
122,773
139,434
1964
1,140
16,661
121,733
138,394
1963
1,138
16,661
117,681
134,342
1962
1,164
16,661
119,120
135,781
1961
1,178
16,661
119,491
136,152
1960
1,200
16,661
119,136
135,797
1959
1,219
16,661
116,515
133,176
1958
1,226
16,661
119,876
136,537
1957
1,239
16,661
118,859
135,520
1956
1,238
16,661
114,915
131,576
1955
1,096
16,661
133,818
150,479
1954
1,231
15,868
129,929
145,797
1953
1,268
15,187
128,247
143,434
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
1973
$7,000,353
$24,483,611
$17,483,258
1972
$6,638,789
$21,845,170
$15,206,381
1971
$6,092,503
$19,956,104
$13,863,601
1970
$7,985,264
$17,626,466
$9,641,202
1969
$7,495,653
$16,648,382
$9,152,729
1968
$7,083,971
$15,868,776
$8,784,805
1967
$7,083,971
$15,868,776
$8,784,805
1965
$19,198,629
1964
$19,198,629
1963
$16,421,661
1962
$16,079,710
1961
$14,926,764
1960
$14,935,518
1959
$13,539,090
1958
$8,250,919
1957
$8,250,919
1956
$3,411,302
$8,726,512
$5,315,210
1955
$2,226,163
$8,044,594
$5,818,431
1954
$2,226,163
$8,044,594
$5,818,431
1953
$2,226,163
$8,044,594
$5,818,431
1952
$2,226,163
$8,044,594
$5,818,431
1951
$2,044,900
$7,006,262
$4,961,362
1950
$6,766,277
1922
$1,348,918
1921
$1,379,986