Episode Overview

In this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, host Stephen Nichols explores pivotal events in Delaware’s church history during the 1700s, focusing on the impact of the First Great Awakening through the ministry of Charles Tennent, the visit of evangelist George Whitefield, and the founding of Methodism at Barrett’s Chapel. Nichols connects the stories of key ministers and movements to broader trends in American religious life, illustrating how these moments contributed to shaping Christianity in the United States.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Tennent Family's Influence

• Background: Charles Tennent, son of William Tennent Sr. (founder of Log College, precursor to Princeton), was part of an influential colonial Presbyterian family originally from Ireland.
• Charles’s Ministry: After studying at his father’s Log College, Charles moved to Delaware around 1730 and served as pastor at the Presbyterian Church at Christiana Bridge, later relocating to White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church (00:45–01:30).

2. The First Great Awakening Comes to Delaware

• George Whitefield’s Visit: In 1739, the prominent itinerant preacher George Whitefield visited Delaware, preaching at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church.

• Massive Gathering: Whitefield estimated an audience of 8,000 listeners, underscoring the revival’s reach and influence (01:45–02:05).

  • Notable Quote:

    “Historians estimate—Whitefield estimates—that there were 8,000 who came to hear him preach at White Clay Creek.”
    — Stephen Nichols (02:05)

• Within the Presbyterian Church: The arrival of revival preaching triggered division—“old side” vs. “new side” Presbyterians—leading to a split within White Clay Creek’s congregation. Charles Tennent sided with the advocates of the awakening and continued as their pastor (02:10–02:40).

3. Charles Tennent’s Continued Ministry

• Later Years: Charles remained at White Clay Creek until moving to Maryland, where he ministered until his death in 1771 (02:45–03:00).

4. The Founding of Methodism in Delaware

• Barrett’s Chapel: Along Route 1 on the Delmarva Peninsula, Barrett built a 500-seat meeting house to serve the (then very small) Methodist community (03:10–03:30).

• Key Event—November 14, 1784:

  • Thomas Coke, newly ordained by John Wesley, arrives from England and preaches at Barrett’s Chapel.
  • Francis Asbury, the famed circuit-riding preacher, also arrives, and together they plan the upcoming Christmas Conference (03:44–03:58).
  • Notable Quote:

    “They spent the evening hatching a plan for what would be called the Christmas Conference for Christmas of 1784.”
    — Stephen Nichols (04:08)

• Birth of American Methodism: The Christmas Conference led to the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church—marking the formal beginning of Methodism in the United States, with its roots at Barrett’s Chapel in Delaware (04:10–04:35).

  • Memorable Line:

    “And at the Christmas Conference was born the Methodist Episcopal Church, the beginnings of formal Methodism in the United States. And it happened first in Delaware.”
    — Stephen Nichols (04:30)

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On the Tennent Family’s Legacy:

  “Charles Tennent is indeed part of that famous colonial family of the Tennents.” (00:19)

• On Divisions in the Church:

  “The First Great Awakening, as you know, was a little bit of a divisive thing... you had the old side and the new side Presbyterians.” (02:12)

• On Barrett’s Vision:

  “So Barrett was a man with a vision.” (03:30)

• On the Christmas Conference:

  “It is where Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury meet. They spent the evening hatching a plan for what would be called the Christmas Conference for Christmas of 1784.” (03:58–04:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:07–00:45 — Introduction and transition into the 1700s; Charles Tennent’s family background
• 00:46–01:30 — Charles’s move to Delaware and early pastoral posts
• 01:31–02:10 — George Whitefield’s visit, estimated crowd, and impact at White Clay Creek
• 02:10–02:40 — Division in the Presbyterian Church over the revival; Charles’s response
• 03:10–03:40 — Barrett’s Chapel’s founding and significance for Delaware Methodism
• 03:44–04:35 — Meeting of Coke and Asbury; planning for the Christmas Conference; formal founding of American Methodism

Tone and Style

Stephen Nichols maintains an accessible, conversational tone, delivering church history with warmth and brevity. The narrative is rich in detail yet concise—ideal for listeners eager to grasp key historical moments without delving into lengthy analysis. Nichols’s enthusiasm for the subject matter is evident, fostering a sense of connection to the past and encouraging further exploration.

This episode offers a succinct yet vivid journey through two cornerstone moments in Delaware’s church history, emphasizing the local roots and national implications of the First Great Awakening and the founding of Methodism.