Primitive Methodists
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A secession from the Methodists, led by Hugh Bourne in 1810. They adopted this name because they reverted to the original methods of preaching of the Wesleys.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Primitive Methodists” mean?
A secession from the Methodists, led by Hugh Bourne in 1810. They adopted this name because they reverted to the original methods of preaching of the Wesleys.
Is “Primitive Methodists” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.