Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S.A.

Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S.A.

Pres., Rev. Frank Hrabak
1122 Frosty Hollow Rd.
Langhorne, PA 19047-5719
United States

Attesting Officer
Rev. David S. Allen
Gen. Secretary


Media Contact
Pres., Rev. Frank Hrabak

40.1449207, -74.890522


Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, local preachers in the Wesleyan Church in England, organized a daylong meeting at Mow Cop in Staffordshire on May 31, 1807, after Lorenzo Dow, an evangelist from America, told them of American camp meetings. Thousands attended and many were converted but the Methodist church, founded by the open-air preacher John Wesley, refused to accept the converts and reprimanded the preachers.
After waiting for two years for a favorable action by the Wesleyan Society, Bourne and Clowes established The Society of the Primitive Methodists. This was not a schism, Bourne said, for "we did not take one from them ... it now appeared to be the will of God that we ... should form classes and take upon us the care of churches in the fear of God." Primitive Methodist missionaries were sent to New York in 1829. An American conference was established in 1840.
Missionary efforts reach into Guatemala, Spain and other countries. The denomination joins in federation with the Evangelical Congregational Church, the United Brethren in Christ Church and the Southern Methodist Church and is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals.
The church believes the Bible is the only true rule of faith and practice, the inspired Word of God. It believes in one Triune God, the Deity of Jesus Christ, the Deity and personality of the Holy Spirit, the innocence of Adam and Eve, the Fall of the human race, the necessity of repentance, justification by faith of all who believe, regeneration witnessed by the Holy Spirit, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and conscious future existence of all people and future judgments with eternal rewards and punishments.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
3,294
53
307
3,601
67
2009
3,430
53
242
3,672
66
2008
3,574
54
341
3,915
67
2006
3,833
51
351
3,984
72
2004
4,153
53
334
4,487
79
2003
4,214
4,480
79
2001
4,397
53
320
4,717
78
1999
4,607
4,015
1,424
6,031
77
1998
4,780
0
1,966
6,746
78
1997
4,917
6,588
78
1996
5,019
7,200
75
1995
5,130
7,234
78
1994
5,216
7,298
79
1993
5,384
7,360
81
1992
7,677
7,677
81
1989
0
8,244
85
1987
5,868
8,487
84
1986
5,942
8,625
86
1981
0
9,978
87
1980
6,895
10,138
87
1979
6,974
10,126
87
1978
9,376
10,222
88
1977
9,417
10,330
89
1976
9,751
10,832
88
1975
7,497
11,024
85
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2010
30
36
4
70
2009
32
34
2
68
2008
47
35
2
84
2006
55
36
2
93
2004
52
34
4
90
2003
52
91
2001
53
34
5
92
1999
70
38
4
112
1998
70
33
5
108
1997
70
106
1996
69
103
1995
54
90
1994
81
118
1993
61
94
1992
65
98
1989
54
84
1987
57
92
1986
66
105
1981
58
90
1980
63
88
1979
71
97
1978
68
91
1977
69
90
1976
76
95
1975
74
94
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
60
0
1,652
1,652
2009
60
0
1,724
1,724
2008
61
0
1,965
1,965
2006
61
0
2,252
2,252
2004
65
0
2,554
2,554
2003
65
2,737
2001
65
0
2,957
2,957
1999
77
0
3,197
3,197
1998
78
0
3,374
3,374
1997
78
3,583
1996
71
3,794
1995
71
3,813
1994
75
3,977
1993
75
4,232
1992
74
4,435
1987
80
4,849
1986
82
5,030
1980
82
6,496
1979
80
6,508
1978
82
6,639
1977
79
6,578
1976
88
7,408
1975
85
7,211
1961
90
1,439
9,988
11,427
1960
94
1,414
9,000
10,414
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$503,192
$5,006,926
$3,995,075
$4,503,734
2009
$578,301
$4,664,330
$4,365,368
$4,086,029
2008
$622,673
$5,450,501
$4,060,783
$4,827,828
2006
$646,459
$5,080,485
$4,060,783
$4,434,026
2004
$673,152
$5,565,638
$4,544,075
$4,892,486
2003
$670,629
$4,771,104
$4,100,475
2001
$199,294
$4,285,707
$3,787,730
$4,086,413
1999
$661,137
$4,733,757
$3,568,850
$4,072,620
1998
$709,354
$5,330,888
$4,192,796
$4,621,534
1997
$383,262
$3,913,068
$3,529,806
1996
$4,567,896
$8,774,261
$4,206,365
1995
$4,869,655
$9,174,866
$4,305,211
1993
$4,673,814
$8,267,662
$3,593,848
1992
$4,769,736
$8,857,540
$4,087,804
1987
$619,058
$5,005,671
$4,386,613
1986
$626,642
$4,190,662
$3,564,020
1979
$457,806
$2,719,897
$2,262,091
1978
$498,363
$2,636,904
$2,138,541
1977
$339,526
$1,888,171
$1,548,645
1976
$427,844
$1,862,951
$1,435,107
1950
$532,470
1923
$247,380
1922
$279,584
1921
$823,719
1919
$170,800