This week in Christian history: Puritan leader dies, Criswell ordained, ‘Queen of Methodism’ born

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 23, 2020

‘Queen of Methodism’ born — August 24, 1707

A portrait of Selina Hastings (1707-1791), the Countess of Huntingdon who became known as the 'Queen of Methodism' for her support of the Methodist movement. — A portrait of Selina Hastings (1707-1791), the Countess of Huntingdon who became known as the "Queen of Methodism" for her support of the Methodist movement. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Selina Hastings, the Countess of Huntingdon known for her philanthropic support of the early Methodist movement, was born.

The daughter of Lord Washington Shirley and Lady Mary Shirley who came from a wealthy background, Hastings founded several chapels, often personally funding their creation.

Combined with her support of missionary activities in North America, especially for evangelist George Whitefield, Hastings would eventually become known as the “Queen of Methodism.”

“After embracing Whitefield’s Calvinism (instead of John Wesley’s Arminianism), she founded ‘The Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion’ in 1783, a society of English preachers and churches that continues to this day,” wrote blogger and author Tim Challies in 2013.

“Whitefield acted as one of Lady Huntingdon’s chaplains and, because she built chapels for some of his followers, they too joined her Connexion. Here, a form of Calvinistic Methodism similar to Whitefield’s was taught.”