Revealed today we are in front of the Jerusalem Wesleyan Church. It stands as a testament to faith. The Jerusalem Wesleyan Church is more than just a building. It is a community.
The Wesleyan Church itself has roots that stretch back centuries. It began with an 18th-century revival. Two 19th-century movements further shaped it. A 20th-century merger completed its formation. These roots sustain its vision. That vision includes spiritual transformation. This transformation spans North America and the world.
The name “Wesleyan” honors John Wesley. Wesley experienced God’s grace in London in 1738. This experience sparked a spiritual revival. It also led to social reforms. Wesley’s followers in America emphasized revival and reform.
In 1843, the Wesleyan Methodists arose. They called for an end to slavery. This was at a time when many churches remained silent on the issue. Wesleyans planted anti-slavery churches in the South. They also participated in the Underground Railroad. Laura Smith Haviland was one such Wesleyan. She opened Michigan’s first Underground Railroad “station”. She started the first racially integrated school in her state.
Wesleyans also championed women’s rights. The first women’s rights convention occurred in 1848. It was held at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York. Luther Lee, a Wesleyan minister, supported women in ministry. He preached the ordination sermon for the first woman ordained to Christian ministry.
Wesleyans have been ordaining women for over 150 years. They were among the first to give laity significant roles. This commitment extended to the marginalized. It also included the undervalued in church and society. They learned from Wesley that loving God and loving others is applied holiness.
Later, holiness advocates joined together. They formed a non-denominational Holiness Union. Martin Wells Knapp and Seth C. Rees led this union. They established a Bible college and a foreign missions agency. Their ministry became a denomination. It was under the leadership of George B. Kulp.
In the 1920s, this group merged. They became the Pilgrim Holiness Church. They identified with the biblical reference to believers as “pilgrims”. The Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church merged in 1968. The uniting ceremony displayed a message from John 17. It read “One—That the World May Believe.” Thus, today’s Wesleyan Church was born.
Today, almost 600,000 people gather for worship. They meet in Wesleyan churches worldwide each Sunday. The Wesleyan Church has a presence in 99 countries. The denomination’s educational system includes five colleges and universities in North America.
The call to holiness binds Wesleyans together. They are a diverse family of nationalities, races, languages, and cultures. They strive to be catalysts for individual and social transformation.
Here at Jerusalem Wesleyan Church, this legacy continues. This church is part of the Queens Federation of Churches. As of February 2, 2025, it reported its information to the Federation.
The Jerusalem Wesleyan Church has a rich history. It also has a vibrant present. Its services are in French. They take place on Sundays at 10 am. The church has 35 members. Its Sunday School enrollment is 20. The Jerusalem Wesleyan Church offers special ministries. These include pre-school, children/youth, adult/family, and senior citizen ministries.
The Jerusalem Wesleyan Church stands as a beacon of faith, service, and community. It embodies the Wesleyan tradition of revival, reform and holiness. Take a moment to appreciate the enduring spirit. Remember the stories of those who built and sustained it.