Background
The 1807 Mow Cop Revival gave birth to a movement which led to a breakaway from the Wesleyan Methodist Church in England. Those leading this movement desired a return to an earlier, purer form of Methodism, as founded by John Wesley. Thus, the name, “The Society of Primitive Methodists” was adopted by this group. It was among those of this new denomination, 90 years later, that a revival occurred in the English town of Middlesbrough, on Gilkes Street.
Datestone on Gilkes Street Church
The datestone on the Gilkes Street Primitive Methodist chapel indicates that it was erected in 1867. The building had seating for 850 people and became the largest congregation in the town of Middlesbrough.
Extraordinary Prayer
Most revivals can be traced to extraordinary prayer. Here is an example of what could be experienced among the Primitive Methodists during their prayer meetings:
We often had all-night meetings, generally from ten o’clock on a Saturday night until about three on the Sunday morning.
Sinners were converted and backsliders reclaimed. … At some of those all-night meetings the presence of God was so manifest and so powerful, that we were helpless, as it were. Praying or singing was out of the question. All we could do was weep. Sometimes some of us were filled with laughter.
It was these types of prayer meetings that led to the revival at the Gilkes Street church.
Gilkes Street Church
How the Revival Occurred
It was on Sunday night, June 6, 1897, when a single person was converted during the preaching of Robert Hind. That conversion was so impactful that it was considered the start of the revival.
During the week, another minister, James Flanagan, preached on two separate days, and the congregation became so caught up with how the Holy Spirit was moving that it was said:
The fire rose to white heat.
William Younger
On the following Sunday, through the ministry of William Younger, seven young men and women professed Christ as their savior.
It was common for there to be as many as 14-24 to be converted during church services as the weeks went on.
In July, the Methodist churches held a camp meeting, and an elderly man who had been to many such camp meetings throughout his years said that what he experienced at this camp meeting:
Exceeded any he had ever known in the past for spiritual power and influence.
The revival wasn’t only impacting the Gilkes Street church. Other Methodist churches in Middlesbrough were also said to have been affected by the revival’s sweeping power.
During one meeting the following testimony was given:
The power of the Lord was so mighty that the people were almost lifted out of their seats, and Mr. Hind (one of the ministers in the church) declared that he had never felt anything like it in all his life.
Gilkes Street Church Today
The Revival Rode on the Wave of Evangelism
This revival wasn’t merely a “come and see” type of event, where people would attend church services, hear the preaching, and get saved. There was active evangelism, where people visited homes, shared the Gospel, and conversions occurred.
Evangelism in the School
After extraordinary prayer for the children, a couple of the men from the church visited the local school and shared Christ with the children. The result was that:
Over 70 voluntarily dedicated themselves to the Lord.
Power of Conviction
The Holy Spirit’s convicting power was evident when it was noted that, at times, young men would leave the church services and, after walking a significant distance away from the church building, would return, and go straight to the front of the church, confess their sins, and receive forgiveness.
Regular Church Schedule
This revival did not follow a typical pattern of nightly services common in other revivals. They followed their normal church schedule and were dependent on the Holy Spirit to do His work within that schedule.
The Revival Continued
In 1901, the record of this revival stated that “we are still in the midst of a grand work,” indicating that after 4 years, the revival was still moving forward in the conversion of the lost!
Primary Sources
► Northern Primitive Methodism by William M. Patterson
► Middlesbrough Gilkes Street Primitive Methodist Chapel by My Primitive Methodists
Secondary Sources
► A Deeper Look at the History of Primitive Methodism by the Primitive Methodist Church of the USA
► History by Primitive Methodist Church in the USA by the Primitive Methodist Church of the USA
► History of the Primitive Methodist Church by H.B. Kendall
► Primitive Methodist Church by Wikipedia
► Primitive Methodism in the Conference Towns by J.G. Bowran
► The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion by John Petty
► The Primitive Methodist Connexion by Julia Stewart Werner
► What is Primitive Methodism by My Primitive Methodists
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