Primitive Methodism - Books

The fullest accounts are old and probably more detailed [than general readers will need]; and the more recent ones are either parts of more general accounts of Methodism or a few more specialised ones (some are unpublished Ph.D.s anyway). The following is the best I can do and it should be noted that since the beginnings were in Staffs, there is much on this in the early period if [you want] the local details.

• H.B. Kendall: Origin and History of the PM Church (2 vols. 1906). Fullest history, very detailed with old pictures and lots that would otherwise be lost.
• H.B. Kendall: History of the PM Church (revised ed. 1919): not to be confused with the above. Much briefer and drier.
• Julia Werner: The PM Connexion (Univ. of Wisconsin Press 1984): the best modern account of the origins
• J.T. Wilkinson: lives of Hugh Bourne and William Clowes (the founders). In effect tells the story of the movement up to mid-century.

Wilkinson also has chapters on the non-Wesleyan Methodists including the PMs in the History of Methodism in Great Britain. ed. by E.G. Rupp and others. These are handy outlines.

There should be a basic account in Barry Tabraham: The Making of Methodism a volume in a modern series from the Epworth Press intended for [general inquirers]. I haven’t seen it but I gather it concentrates on the earlier period. The only other volume in the series covering the general history starts with 1932 when the PMs united with the others.

The Kendall and Wilkinson books occasionally turn up second-hand as does Werner. The others should be in print and some of them in any case in a good city library.

H. Rack.
20.Feb.2001