Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies
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
Media Contact
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.
Membership
| Full Communicants | Average Attendance | Other Members | Total Inclusive Members | Total Churches | Membership Calculation Method | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 51,952 |
1,268 |
||||||
| 1952 | 48,954 |
1,212 |
||||||
| 1951 | 48,574 |
1,211 |
||||||
| 1950 | 49,923 |
50,033 |
1,201 |
|||||
| 1947 | 45,379 |
1,169 |
||||||
| 1944 | 35,872 |
10,911 |
46,783 |
1,172 |
||||
| 1942 | 42,645 |
3,295 |
45,940 |
1,295 |
||||
| 1940 | 42,596 |
3,294 |
45,890 |
1,275 |
||||
| 1938 | 45,603 |
3,173 |
48,776 |
1,259 |
||||
| 1936 | 44,511 |
1,567 |
46,078 |
1,213 |
||||
| 1929 | 39,997 |
39,997 |
1,279 |
|||||
| 1925 | 37,561 |
37,561 |
1,189 |
|||||
| 1922 | 32,053 |
32,053 |
1,259 |
|||||
| 1921 | 38,944 |
38,944 |
1,259 |
|||||
| 1919 | 33,257 |
33,257 |
1,890 |
|||||
| 1917 | 35,291 |
35,291 |
1,606 |
|||||
| 1916 | 35,287 |
35,287 |
1,605 |
|||||
| 1915 | 35,032 |
35,032 |
1,171 |
Clergy
| Serving Churches | Retired | Other Service to the Church | Total Clergy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1,061 |
1,939 |
||||
| 1951 | 1,211 |
1,939 |
||||
| 1950 | 1,110 |
760 |
1,870 |
|||
| 1947 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1944 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1942 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1940 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1938 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1936 | 1,160 |
|||||
| 1929 | 1,399 |
|||||
| 1925 | 1,324 |
|||||
| 1922 | 1,483 |
|||||
| 1921 | 1,483 |
|||||
| 1919 | 1,326 |
|||||
| 1917 | 1,397 |
|||||
| 1916 | 1,397 |
|||||
| 1915 | 1,293 |
Education
| Total Schools | Staff | Pupils | Total Individuals | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1,223 |
14,516 |
118,403 |
132,919 |
||
| 1951 | 1,235 |
14,374 |
116,039 |
130,413 |
||
| 1950 | 1,244 |
13,923 |
103,237 |
117,160 |
||
| 1925 | 1,305 |
10,288 |
69,517 |
79,805 |
||
| 1922 | 1,331 |
103,676 |
||||
| 1921 | 1,289 |
89,162 |
||||
| 1919 | 1,290 |
87,620 |
||||
| 1917 | 1,197 |
8,763 |
58,553 |
|||
| 1916 | 1,201 |
8,764 |
58,523 |
Finance
| Total Benevolences | Total Financials | Total Giving | Local Expenses | Method | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | $267,752 |
||||||
| 1917 | $772,038 |