Primitive Methodist Circuits in the English-Welsh Borderland

Abstract

This paper enlarges our understanding about the Primitive Methodist Connexion by examining the denomination in a part of the country where it enjoyed considerable success during the nineteenth century. It takes as its starting point the relative lack of historical research on the Methodist circuit, which was an important innovation in religious provision. The circuit system gave Wesleyan Methodism and its break-away denominations considerable flexibility to co-ordinate their work in a highly effective way. The developing geography of Primitive Methodist circuits in the English-Welsh borderland is explored, as the denomination moved from enthusiastic evangelism towards consolidation. Particular attention is paid to the way in which changing missionary tactics, chapel building, local dissension, and the trend towards circuit sub-division shaped the geography and internal work of these circuits during the nineteenth century.