This week in Christian history: communion on the moon; ‘Mother of Methodism’ dies; John V becomes pope

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, July 19, 2020

‘Mother of Methodism’ dies — July 23, 1742

Susanna Wesley (1660-1742), the mother John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Susanna Wesley, the mother of Methodist founders John and Charles Wesley, who deeply influenced their spiritual practices, passed away.

Born on January 20, 1669, and the daughter of a pastor, Susanna gave birth to 19 children, though typical of the era, many of them died before reaching adulthood.

The wife of a preacher, Susanna organized her own unauthorized religious gatherings at home and gave spiritual education to her children, including brothers John and Charles Wesley.

“While her husband was absent in London in 1711, attending Convocation, Mrs. Wesley adopted the practice of reading in her family, and instructing them. One of the servants told his parents and they wished to come,” wrote Methodist historian J. B. Wakeley.

“These told others, and they came, till the congregations amounted to forty, and increased till they were over two hundred, and the parsonage could not contain all that came.”

For her influence over the Christian faith and morality of her children, especially John and Charles, Susanna has been known in some circles as the “mother of Methodism.”