The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24

of living and in their mode OF dress that
women with feathers in their hats or gay
away by the doorkeepers, and not allowed
to mingle with the plain worshipers.
"A Few days ago reporter accompanies
an aged Methodist minister OF this city,
who is almost eighty years old, and who
Is acquainted with the historical records
or the Philadelphia Conference. to the room
In 81. Georges Church, In which the first
Methodist conference IN America was held
The desk, chairs and benches are arranged
as IL is supposed they were used by the
members OF the conference back In the
The aged clergyman told the following
facts:
British army, who had entered the church
under John Wesley. and was licensed
local preacher, was sent to Albany. N ".
In In iss In In Shass Of the barracks there
TO preach In a sail loft he hired near the
drawbrfdge which spanned Dock creek.
Here class OF seven persons was formed.
a member, and the place OF meeting was
changed TO house In Loxleys court, q
small thoroughfare east of Fourth street.
On Oct q, 176s. Richard Boardman and
Joseph Pilmoor. missionaries sent by John
Wesley to America. arrived in Philadelphia.
and, not knowing that there were any
Methodists In this city, were met on the
streets by a man who had seen DR.. Board
man in Ireland He informed them OF the
took them to Captain Webb. Mr.. Pilmoor
decided to remain in Philadelphia. while
Mr.. Boardman went TO New York
Under the ministrations OF Mr.. Pilmoor
too small. He frequently preached 10 large
audiences at the racecourse-n0w Frank
lin Square-which was then considered
Race street its name. Large audiences also
gathered TO hear him preach In Potter's
Field, now Washington Square
hnt ffr.n GrfS I.x1H <nIus -
building located Fourth street. near
Story, now New. was bought from the High
Dutch Reformed Church. who became fnan-
debt. The Provincial Assembly passed an
act authorizing the sale OF the building.
and while the public auction was In prog
name OF Hockey entered the room. and by
some singular impulse bid Goo. He was
declared the highest bidder. and his ia
ther, unwilling TO reflect on his son by
taking legal measures to show his irrespon-
sibility, paid the amount. He afterward
$3.50.
The church. which was IS by IS feet. was
then regarded as OF immense proportions,
and Its size was a matter OF comment
everywhere. The day after the purchase
church and dedicated A. His text was
Zachariah iv, z: WHO art thou, o great
mountain? Before Zerubabel thou shalt be-
come plain; and he snail bring forth the
headstone thereof with shoutingx, crying
grace. grace, unto t."
In liz, when the British army occupied
Philadelphia. after the battle OF Brandy
wine. the church was used for a while as a
hospital. and afterward a riding school
for the cavalry. At the close OF the war
the membership was reorganized with about
forty or fifty persons. and Freeborn Garrett
son. one of the greatest preachers OF his
day. was appointed pastor, For some years
after the Methodists owned the church IL
was not called ST. Georges. II was usually
referred 10 a. Our Meeting House." and
not until l7S1 did IL receive its present name.
II is supposed that the martial spirit OF
Captain Webb prompted him 10 name IL
after the reigning king. For fifty years IL
was regarded as the cathedral OF the Meth
odist Church. The first conference being
held In l773 and the present one In 1903
makes lapse of 40 years.