About
Find Out MoreBrief Historical Background
Methodism in Sierra Leone was introduced by freed slaves who served as soldiers on the side of the British in the American war of independence and were settled in Nova Scotia as disbanded soldiers. These were later resettled in Freetown in 1792 and brought with them their Methodist faith.
They were served by local leaders including, Moses Wilkinson, Luke Jordan and others until 1811.
The failing health condition of the leadership prompted them to seek leadership for their society from the Methodist Conference of Britain.
A letter was written by Joseph Browne, one of the Leaders with Wilkinson, to Dr Coke on July 5, 1806, requesting the British Conference to provide personnel for the Church in Sierra Leone.
Rev. George Warren and three schoolteachers, John Healy, Joseph Rayner and Thomas Hirst, were identified and sent as the first Methodist missionaries to Sierra Leone, landing in Freetown on November 12, 1811.
The Rev. George Warren took the service on Sunday, November 15, and preached to a crowded congregation. By then, the number of full members had increased from 100 (in 1808) to 1,111 in 1811.
This promising start to a revival of the work begun by the leaders of the Nova Scotian settlers was dealt a cruel blow after only eight months when George Warren died on July 23, 1812, after a short illness.
In time, the Church became a District of the British Conference and received a host of missionaries from Britain.
The Methodist Church Sierra Leone became an autonomous Conference in January 1967 with Rev. Dr W. E. Akiwumi Pratt as its first President of Conference, with successive Presidents and Presiding Bishops as follows:
|
Presidents |
Presiding Bishops |
|
Rev. Leslie Wallace Rev. Prince A. J. Williams Rev. Nelson Charles Rev. Gershon Anderson Rev. S. Dowridge Williams Rev. Christian V. A. Peacock |
Rt. Rev. Francis Nabieu Rt. Rev. Arnold C. Temple Rt. Rev. Albert A. S. Beah
|
The Rt. Rev. Mark K. Ngobeh is the current Presiding Bishop and Rt. Rev. Ronald Bobb – Williams is the Administrative Bishop of the Conference.
The Local Church
The local church means both the people and the buildings. It is the whole body of members of the Methodist Church linked with one particular place of worship sometimes referred to as a Methodist Society.
People who have been baptised may wish to become members of the Methodist Church. There is usually a period of instruction before a service of confirmation and reception into membership is held.
The Circuits
The circuit is a group of churches which covers a defined area. It is served by a team of ministers and is overseen by a Circuit Superintendent, who also presides at the Circuit Quarterly Meeting. The Circuit Quarterly Meeting is responsible for the spiritual leadership and administration of the circuit.
The Districts
Several circuits make up a district. Each district is overseen by a Chairman, who also presides over the District Synod. The purpose of the District Synod is to review annually the work of the District. The Methodist Church is divided into three Districts, namely:
- Western District (consisting of 12 Circuits and 1 Ecumenical Station)
- Bo/Kenema District (consisting of 7 Circuits)
- Kailahun/Kono District (consisting of 10 circuits).
The three synods meet in a Biennial Conference.
The Conference
The Conference is led by the Presiding Bishop who is always an ordained Presbyter and is supported by the Vice President who is always a layperson. It is the governing body of the Methodist Church and meets Biennial in different parts of the country. Alongside the Presiding Bishop is the Administrative Bishop who acts to coordinate the work of the Conference.
The Methodist Church Sierra Leone has an ecumenical orientation and is a member of the following organisations:
- The World Methodist Council
- The World Council of Churches
- The All-Africa Conference of churches
- The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone
The Connexion
This is the term used to describe the whole Methodist Church linked together through churches, circuits and districts. Altogether these are the Connexion.