Methodism in Microcosm: Methodist History in Caswell County, North Carolina, 1780-1905
Abstract
This paper surveys the development of Methodist frontier societies in Caswell County,
North Carolina, into modern institutional churches during their first 125 years.Caswell
Methodism proves to be a useful microcosm of American Methodism in which some broad
historical trends can be demonstrated in local practice:
1. The planting of frontier Methodism.
2. The slow erosion of Wesleyan hallmarks like societies and classes,
conversion-oriented preaching, and the model deed.
3. And, the incremental shift to nurture-oriented Sunday Schools and an
institutional emphasis on buildings and bureaucracies. Some of the Methodist churches
or class meetings mentioned in the paper include: Baxter's, Bethany, Camp Springs,
Concord, Hebron, Lea's Chapel, New Hope, Parrish's, Piney Grove, Purley/Harrison's,
Salem, Sergent's Schoolhouse, Shady Grove, Union, and Yanceyville. An extensive bibliography
lists the locations of many primary sources.
Description
2009 Chester P. Middlesworth Award Winner
Type
Course paperSubject
Methodist Episcopal Church, South -- North Carolina -- Caswell County.Methodist Church -- North Carolina -- History
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1509Citation
Hunter, Martin Park (2008). Methodism in Microcosm: Methodist History in Caswell County, North Carolina, 1780-1905.
Course paper, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1509.Collections
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