This week in Christian history: ‘Mother of Methodism’ born; Edict of St. Germain; Book of Common Prayer

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, January 17, 2021

Susanna Wesley 'Mother of Methodism' born – Jan. 20, 1660

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 Methodism founders John and Charles Wesley, was born in London, England, the youngest of 25 children.

She is noted as the “Mother of Methodism” because, while she was never officially part of a ministry, Susanna had a strong influence on the spiritual habits of the Wesley brothers.

The Rev. Alfred T. Day III, general commission on Archives and History for the United Methodist Church, noted in a 2016 video that Susanna was “a major difference maker.”

“John and Charles are their mother’s sons. She is the person who is responsible for their education and spiritual formation,” explained Day.

“… the differences that she made have lived on from the history of 17th and 18th century well into the present moment because of the sons that she raised.”