Wesley, Charles - Timeline Biography
Time Period
12-18-1707 - 03-29-1788
Description
Charles Wesley was educated at Oxford and ordained, like his brother, John. At Oxford, he joined the Holy Club, or Methodists, a group of young men interested in spiritual matters and works of charity. He was influential in having his brother John join the group. Both he and his brother did mission work in the colony of Georgia briefly and later experienced a religious conversion under the influence of Peter Bohler and the Moravians.
However, he also had a distinct legacy from his brother. Although he engaged in missions like John, he is more known as a hymn writer, composing more than 6,000 hymns in all. Some of his well-known hymns include "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." In addition, he was strongly against separating from the Church of England.
However, he also had a distinct legacy from his brother. Although he engaged in missions like John, he is more known as a hymn writer, composing more than 6,000 hymns in all. Some of his well-known hymns include "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." In addition, he was strongly against separating from the Church of England.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Methodist/Pietist Family: Other ARDA LinksMethodist/Pietist Family: Religious Family Tree
Events
John and Charles Wesley Visit AmericaRelated Dictionary Terms
Methodist-Pietist FamilyPhotographs
Charles Wesley- Library of Congress, LC-USZ6-546
Charles Wesley portrait- Internet Archive- from The Life of The Rev. Charles Wesley, vol 1 by Thomas Jackson
Charles Wesley stained glass- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Weglinde
Charles Wesley statue- photo by Brian Robert Marshall (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Book/Journal Source(s)
Cross, F. L., and E.A. Livingstone, 2005. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church New York: Oxford University Press.Web Source(s)
http://wesley.nnu.edu/charles-wesley/Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology