About Us

Methodism began in 18th century England through the ministry of brothers John and Charles Wesley, Anglican students at Oxford University. There, Charles formed a Holy Club, which his brother John Wesley also joined. John brought his methodical approach to prayer, studying the Bible, and helping the poor. Others made fun of the club, criticizing their highly disciplined methodology, and referring to the group as "Methodists." This derogatory nickname is where Methodism got its name.

In 1735, the Wesley brothers traveled to America in the hopes of doing missionary work. The time they spent there was challenging, and John returned to England feeling discouraged. Everything changed when he visited a town called Aldersgate and attended a Bible study, where he experienced a renewed assurance of salvation, not through his own good efforts, but through the grace of Jesus Christ alone. This moment became a turning point in his life and ministry.

In London, John and Charles Wesley continued in discipleship and organizing Methodist societies with a focus on worship, prayer, and serving the poor. John felt guided by God to start preaching outdoors, in mining towns, fields, and villages, so that people who could not or would not attend church could still hear the gospel. Crowds gathered in the thousands, and John relied on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than his own strength. 

After the American Revolution, John Wesley helped establish the Methodist Church in the United States by commissioning leaders and supporting the growing movement. Throughout his life, he advocated for the poor, opposed the slave trade, and preached the good news of Jesus Christ until his final years.  John Wesley went to be with his Savior at the age of 88.

For more historical details about John Wesley, please visit the Free Methodist Church USA website. 

In the 19th century, Benjamin Titus Roberts of New York served as a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church. By the 1850s, although the church still claimed Wesleyan roots, Roberts grew concerned that it was drifting away from its original commitments. One troubling practice was the renting of church pews. Wealthier families could pay for seats near the front, while poorer families were pushed to the back, creating a visible divide within the congregation.

Roberts also spoke out against the church’s unwillingness to take a clear stand against slavery. He believed slavery must be abolished and that the church should lead the way. In addition, he advocated for women to serve fully in ministry and urged the church to bring the gospel beyond its walls to people who were suffering and overlooked.

When Roberts raised these concerns, church leaders refused to make changes and eventually expelled him from the denomination.

Not long after, Roberts and several like‑minded friends gathered in an apple orchard in Pekin, New York, where they formed a new denomination: the Free Methodist Church. They kept the Wesleyan emphasis on holiness, compassion, and justice, while adding a renewed focus on freedom, which included free pews, freedom for women to serve in all roles of ministry, freedom from slavery, and freedom for the Holy Spirit to move in worship.

The Free Methodist Church soon spread across the United States and eventually around the world, sharing the gospel, encouraging discipleship, and continuing the fight against slavery and injustice.

For more historical details about B.T. Roberts, please visit the Free Methodist Church USA website. 

Our History

In 1890, four young women in their early twenties, Bertha Baldwin, Minnie Baldwin, Mary McCormick, and May Record organized the Arcola Free Methodist Church.

What began in 1889 as gatherings to sing outside the Tuscola, Illinois train depot quickly drew crowds. As they shared testimonies and encouraged people to seek God, the meetings expanded into a tent. Driven by growing attendance from the Pentecost revivals, the congregation soon needed a permanent home. Following a property donation by James and Susan Wilson, the church and a parsonage were built in Arcola in 1890. Both Baldwin sisters pastored the church until the Wabash Annual Conference officially appointed a pastor in 1891.

Growth and Renewal

A major reconstruction took place in 1955, fueled largely by volunteers from both the Arcola and Mattoon church congregations. Under the leadership of Pastor Carl L. Roth, they added a nursery, a pastor's study, a fellowship hall, and seven classrooms. Improvements were made to enhance the sanctuary's beauty and day-to-day usability, and the building's exterior was updated with a brick veneer.

In 1986, Pastor Paul Newton arrived in Arcola. Alongside dedicated volunteers, he worked on the church and parsonage, creating a new parking space on the north side, painting the classrooms and sanctuary, and installing new lighting and ceiling fans.

Today

The Arcola Free Methodist Church is currently pastored by Bill Ramsey as we continue our long legacy of faith and community.

We believe in the Holy Trinity, which is made up of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three make up one holy deity, the one true living God.

The Bible, consisting of ancient texts from authors whom God has inspired, has authority over all human life. It is God's written and living Word, still speaking throughout the generations. The Bible continues to teach us about creation, humanity, the forgiveness of sins, and the path to salvation, through our Savior, Christ Jesus.

Humans were created in the image of God, uncorrupt and morally free. Having given us free will, Adam and Eve went against God's instruction and chose to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This decision corrupted the nature of humanity, and henceforth humans were inclined to sin from birth. 

God being merciful and loving, continued to work with His creation, helping us to restore our broken relationship with Him through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The laws and instructions from the Creator can be expressed through two divine commands: Love God with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Although everyone should strive to do good works, which are pleasing to God, our good works do not earn us God's grace. God's grace can only come from our faith in Christ Jesus. 

Christ died for us, giving His life as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all humanity. It is through our faith in Jesus that we are given new life and a right relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through the impactful guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can be cleansed and purified, surrendering to God and having our hearts transformed. If we sin, we must genuinely repent and allow ourselves to be transformed by the correction of the Holy Spirit, and our severed relationship with God can be restored. However, this forgiveness does not grant us the ability to continue sinning and escape the consequences. 

God created the church to fulfill His purposes in Christ. This community is made up of people God has redeemed and those He is redeeming. The church is called to preach the Word of God and follow Christ's instruction of the Holy Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

Water baptism is a sacrament that signifies the washing away of sins through repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is a declaration of faith that Jesus Christ is Savior.

The Lord's Supper is a sacrament which displays love and unity amongst Christians, recognizing the redemptive power through the death of Jesus Christ. The partaking of bread and wine to represent the body and blood of Christ is received in faith.

The kingdom of God exists both now and in the future. In the present state, Christians are called to proclaim the gospel and bring the kingdom to earth through prayer, faith, and morality as described in the Biblical texts. The kingdom in the future state will be established when Jesus Christ returns to prevail over all evil. The dead will be resurrected, and God will judge each by their righteousness and good deeds in their lifetime. Determined by the grace of God and our response, those that do not follow will experience eternal suffering with complete separation from God, but those that follow in obedience and trust will experience the eternal glory of Heaven.