“Another church?” you might ask. But let me assure you The Bible Christian Church has a unique story. It is a story of Methodist dissent. It is a story of transatlantic connections. The Bible Christian Church’s origins trace back to 1815. William O’Bryan founded it in North Cornwall.
O’Bryan was a Wesleyan Methodist local preacher. The first meeting had only 22 members. They gathered at Lake Farm in Shebbear, Devon. Members were sometimes called Bryanites after their founder.
The Bible Christian Church sought effective biblical education. They wanted a presbyterian church government. They also desired women’s participation in the ministry. This set them apart from other Methodist groups.
While O’Bryan founded the church, the Thorne family became dominant. O’Bryan’s autocratic behavior caused strife. This led to James Thorne taking leadership. William Mason then replaced O’Bryan as superintendent. James Thorne became secretary. The name changed to the popular Bible Christians.
O’Bryan left for America in 1832. He continued to preach but founded no further churches. Despite his departure the Bible Christian Church spread. It reached the Channel Islands and Kent by 1820. The church also found strength in the Isle of Wight.
Missionaries were sent to Prince Edward Island and Ontario by 1831. A mission started in Canada in 1845. Many emigrants from Devon and Cornwall were Bible Christians. This boosted the church’s growth in Canada and the United States. The Bible Christian Church officially arrived in the United States in 1846. Australia became a favorite destination for missionaries by 1850. Later missionaries reached New Zealand by 1878. They even ventured to China by 1885.
The Bible Christian Church embraced female preachers. Ann Freeman and O’Bryan’s wife Catherine were examples. These women played significant roles. They were known as Female Special Agents. They held appointments to various ministry stations.
While small, the Bible Christian Church grew rapidly. In 1907, the church in England merged. It joined the United Methodist Free Churches and the Methodist New Connexion. Together, they formed the United Methodist Church. The Canadian branch had already merged. It joined the Methodist Church of Canada in 1884. This later became part of the United Church of Canada. The Australian churches merged in 1902. They joined the Methodist Church of Australasia.
The Bible Christian Church may no longer exist as a separate entity. Its legacy lives on in the United Methodist Church. Its commitment to biblical education is still relevant. Its recognition of women in ministry remains important. So remember William O’Bryan’s vision. Remember the Bryanites’ journey from England to America. Remember the Bible Christian Church’s impact.